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Audit committee recommends Weaver as external auditor, citing continuity for Workday transition
Summary
After reviewing proposals and interviews, the audit selection committee recommended retaining Weaver for a one-year contract with optional renewals to provide continuity during the city's Workday ERP stabilization; audit staff will return annually to review possible extensions.
The Garland audit committee briefed the council on July 20 and recommended awarding the city’s external audit engagement to Weaver for one year with the option to renew, citing Weaver’s experience with electric-utility accounting and potential efficiencies during the city’s Workday ERP stabilization.
Jed Johnson, the city auditor, outlined statutory requirements (Texas Local Government Code and the city charter) that require the city to engage an independent CPA for annual financial audits. CFO Lisonbee Stedman said the selection process produced two top firms — Weaver (incumbent) and Forvis/Mazars — and the committee ranked Weaver highest after interviews and best-and-final offers. Stedman said Weaver offered continuity, audit‑team depth for Garland’s electric utility and training programs for staff, and agreed to change the audit manager on the engagement to maintain independence.
"We reviewed and scored those proposals, and we interviewed the two top scoring firms," Stedman said, summarizing the selection approach. The committee asked council for consensus to proceed with the recommendation; staff framed the contract as a one-year term with up to four annual optional renewals and committed to bringing the engagement back to the audit committee annually before any extension.
Councilors asked about rotation rules and whether a different firm should be sought after the transition period; staff said the committee would reconvene annually and pursue a broader RFP if recommended in future years.
