CAPTION:
Amends Charter: establishes office, duties of independent elected City Auditor.
QUESTION:
Shall City Charter be amended to establish office of elected City Auditor to independently audit city operations and activities?
SUMMARY:
This Charter amendment establishes new Office of Independent City Auditor, led by elected City Auditor. City Auditor must be certified; and have five years’ relevant experience. Election held every four years. Auditor and auditor’s office are independent, not subject to City Council or Manager direction or supervision. Auditor has authority to perform financial, performance, compliance, or other audits of any city funded operation; may oversee other city audits. Auditor must establish whistleblower hotline, conduct investigations of reports of fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, or illegal activity. City officers and employees must cooperate with auditor’s office, provide unrestricted access to documents, people, other information, facilities necessary for audits. Auditor’s activities subject to outside peer review. All audit reports and peer reviews posted on auditor’s website. City must fund Auditor’s office at not less than 0.1% of City’s total budget (approximately $677,000 for FY18) which includes auditor compensation. Auditor paid at least 70% of averaged salaries of Eugene and Salem City Managers and EWEB General Manger
(approximately $153,000 in 2017), plus same benefit package as Eugene City Manager.
Toronto, Canada reports: “…for every $1 invested in the Auditor General’s Office the return on investment was approximately $7.4.”
The Eugene City Auditor will follow these Government Auditing Standards published by the GAO.
Poll results by DHM Research show that Oregonians of all political parties want more transparency and accountability in government.
Independent Elected City Auditors have proven to reduce costs and increase transparency and accountability in many other cities. These documents show examples of how City Auditors have helped other cities save money.
Pacific Green Party, Lane County endorsed the City Auditor Charter Amendment in quorum meeting July 6, 2017.
