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Council hires Perry Forensic for up to $80,000 to examine local sales‑tax and pooled cash
Summary
After a committee review and debate about whether to seek state auditors' help first, the council voted 5‑2 to engage Perry Forensic to conduct an independent assessment of local option sales tax collection, investment, reporting and use, with a target timeline of about six months.
The council authorized a forensic engagement with Perry Forensic not to exceed $80,000 to investigate the collection, management, transfer, investment, reporting and use of local option sales tax revenues and related funds.
A committee of councilors interviewed multiple firms and recommended Perry Forensic; committee members praised the firm’s willingness to "chase the rabbit down" and noted its use of data‑extraction tools to speed analysis. Councilor Paulson, who sat on the selection committee, said the firm proposed frequent check‑ins and said it could present findings to the council during the process.
Opponents urged first contacting the State Auditor’s office for assistance at low or no cost and asked for clearer contract language specifying deliverables and whether the firm would assist in budgeting decisions. City attorney and staff said state assistance was an option but that the state does not respond to RFPs and an external forensic engagement would provide an independent, timely review. After debate and a roll‑call vote, the council approved the Perry Forensic engagement by a 5‑2 vote and directed staff to finalize the engagement letter, include any additional deliverables discussed and return to council if costs or timeframes change.
