City Auditor

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     PROPOSITION 101    
         
    PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE MESA CITY CHARTER BY THE CITY COUNCIL    
         
    OFFICIAL TITLE: Ordinance No. 4495 – An ordinance of the City Council of the City of Mesa, Maricopa County, Arizona, proposing to amend Section 401 of the Mesa City Charter establishing a Council appointed City Auditor position.

DESCRIPTIVE TITLE: Amends the City Charter to establish a Council appointed City Auditor position that will conduct audits as requested by the City Council or City Manager. The City Auditor will serve at the pleasure of the Council.

A “YES” vote shall have the effect of amending the City Charter to establish a Council appointed City Auditor position.

A “NO” vote shall have the effect of not establishing a Council appointed City Auditor position.		    
         
         

Question

Why does the City Council feel the need for it's own Auditor?  

Do they lack confidence in the City Manager?  Or the staff in the Financial Services Department?

Point

Rather than creating a costly new position--one that largely duplicates existing functions--they should consider staffing changes that would result in competent individuals that are responsive to the Council's needs, and whom they are confident will have the best interest of the city at heart.

Point

Much has been said regarding Mesa's Financial Problems; they were a long time in the making, and in many ways, predictable.  A "Council Auditor" approach sounds like a Band-Aid® solution to a problem that seems both deeper and more widespread than has been revealed.

Point

It's even worse than I thought.  This from the Arizona Republic:
      
"A new city auditor position would cost Mesa at least $374,000, according to preliminary estimates.

The office would have four employees, including the council auditor, senior program auditor, another program auditor and an administrative support position. Operating expenses would be more than $21,000, excluding start-up costs such as office supplies and desks."