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Fabens ISD board approves Gibson Consulting forensic audit and internal‑controls review despite trustee objections
Summary
After debate about cost and past audits, the board voted to engage Gibson Consulting for a forensic internal audit (hourly, not to exceed $50,000) and a fixed‑fee internal controls review ($48,450) to examine potential irregularities and strengthen controls.
The Fabens ISD board on July 15 approved a professional services agreement with Gibson Consulting Group to conduct a forensic internal audit and an internal‑controls review. The forensic engagement is billed hourly with a not‑to‑exceed amount of $50,000; the internal‑controls review was quoted at a fixed fee of $48,450 including travel and related expenses. The board audit committee recommended the hires and trustees heard the consultant by phone to explain scope and difference from the district’s annual financial audit.
Consultant representative said the engagements are narrower and more diagnostic than an annual financial audit: "they are not designed to uncover wrongdoing," he said in describing the regular financial audit's scope, but explained the forensic/internal‑controls work is intended to identify process weaknesses and misappropriation risks. Several trustees questioned the cost given the district’s deficit and noted that annual financial audits are already performed; one trustee said, "I oppose this, and I think that the money could be spent better," citing competing priorities. The motion to hire Gibson Consulting passed after a recorded voice vote with the majority approving the engagements.
