Tooele County staff proposes five-member screening committee for fraud, waste and abuse complaints

County staff introduced Ordinance 2026-05 on June 16, proposing to change how fraud, waste and abuse complaints are handled by creating a five-member screening committee rather than relying on a single auditor to perform initial screening.

"We have created a new committee, that will handle the fraud, waste, and abuse complaints," the staff presenter said, adding the screening body would include the county auditor, the county manager or designee, two members of the county council (one of whom would be the chair or vice chair), and the county attorney or their designee. The presenter said the new committee would make a vote on what to do with each complaint and would be subject to the state Open and Public Meetings Act.

The ordinance text, as described in the meeting, defines fraud and abuse and requires the screening committee to forward matters it finds to the auditor for statutory review, to the county legislative body for a performance audit, to other external agencies if appropriate, or to determine that a complaint lacks merit. "By making it so, this committee is the one who is screening it instead of having just one individual," the presenter said.

Staff also described an internal reorganization: the existing audit committee — which the presenter said is statutorily focused on financial audits and safeguards — would be removed from the screening role to avoid sending nonfinancial matters to members without the relevant expertise. The presenter said confidentiality protections and recusal requirements are built into the ordinance: "If a member of that committee, the complaint is about them, that person would have to recuse themselves, and they won't be able to participate in the screening process."

Council members pressed staff on reporting and ultimate responsibility. One council member noted prior advice from external auditors that the council retains ultimate responsibility for fraud and abuse oversight; staff confirmed the committee may forward matters to the county legislative body and that options include pursuing performance audits or referring matters to other agencies. The transcript excerpt did not record a final vote on the ordinance during the provided portion of the meeting.

What happens next: staff will draft committee procedures and, because the screening committee will meet under the Open and Public Meetings Act, meetings will require public notice. The ordinance as described would create a formal screening step intended to increase transparency and involve multiple officials in determining next steps for complaints.