Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget And Finance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council asks finance director to review Audette report as calls for independent review grow
Summary
Facing multiple public comments and council concern about a councilmember's report alleging budgeting discrepancies, council asked the finance director to review the findings and return to council within about a month; members also discussed forming an ad hoc committee or independent audit depending on staff responses.
A public report by Councilmember Audette alleging problems in the city's budget prompted extensive public comment and debate among council members. Several residents urged an independent investigation; some council members called for immediate outside review while others asked staff to respond first.
Councilmember Latow (paraphrase from dais) requested that Finance Director Greg Robinette review Audette's analysis and report back to council with clarifications within about a month. Several council members supported that step as a fair first response and asked that staff's findings be presented in a public consent item. Some council members additionally suggested forming an ad hoc committee with independent auditors or local CPAs if staff responses do not resolve the concerns.
Council emphasized transparency and rebuilding public trust, and directed staff to bring the finance director's response to the next feasible meeting and then discuss whether an independent ad hoc review is necessary.
