Committee debates language limiting city-manager oversight of internal audits

A central point of discussion at the Oct. 1 Charter Review Committee meeting was a proposed noninterference provision intended to protect audit independence when the auditor examines work overseen by the city manager.

Committeemember Paul introduced language to limit the city manager's ability to "direct, limit, or interfere with the scope, timing, findings, or reporting of any audit" once an audit is authorized by the audit commission. Supporters said the wording provides necessary guardrails because the auditor's job is to audit work ultimately overseen by the city manager. Others raised concerns about singling out one department head for special charter protections and suggested civil service job specifications could achieve the same goal.

Following discussion the committee agreed to relocate the noninterference sentence to the powers-and-duties section (section 2) to make clear it applies to audits approved by the commission. The committee also added clarifying language that the city manager retains performance-review authority over the auditor as a city employee.