Committee launches formal external-auditor evaluation; may decide on RFP next year

The Audit Advisory Committee agreed to deploy a concise auditor evaluation tool to collect structured feedback on the CLA engagement and directed members to return completed forms to Finance by Oct. 7 so management can compile themes and share results with the committee.

Chair asked members to complete a short form and send it to Marcia Solo; Marcia proposed an initial near-term return-by date, and the group settled on Oct. 7 as a practical deadline for collecting input. The committee also discussed the contract cycle with CLA: the current base contract runs three years and will come to an end with the FY26 audit cycle, so the committee agreed to consider whether to start an RFP in January if the council or management wishes to change auditors. Committee members noted an RFP process historically takes months and recommended preparing a timeline if a change is under consideration.

Auditor Chris Kessler said the formalized evaluation would be useful and that CLA welcomes feedback during the engagement as well as at its completion. The committee will review compiled results and discuss options — renewal or RFP — at the December meeting.