Council votes to retain trusted auditor amid cybercrime concerns

During a recent government meeting, council members deliberated on the selection of an auditing firm, ultimately favoring Cherry Becker over MSL. Councilmember Montanari expressed confidence in Cherry Becker's longstanding service to the city of St. Petersburg, highlighting their familiarity and trustworthiness, despite a higher cost of $145,000 compared to MSL.

Councilmember Hanowitz echoed this sentiment, noting the positive relationship between Cherry Becker and city staff over the past three years, which has included no increases in charges. He acknowledged MSL's competitive pricing but ultimately leaned towards retaining Cherry Becker due to their established rapport and reliability.

Chair Fixanders shared a more cautious perspective, weighing the benefits of familiarity against the potential advantages of MSL's broader experience with larger clients. However, he indicated a preference for Cherry Becker, citing the importance of consistency amid upcoming changes.

The committee unanimously voted to rank Cherry Becker as the top choice for the auditing contract, with MSL as the backup option should negotiations with Cherry Becker fail. The decision reflects a collective prioritization of established relationships and trust in the auditing process, as the city prepares for future challenges. The committee plans to initiate negotiations with Cherry Becker promptly.