FOAC adopts updated internal audit charter to align with professional standards

The Financial Oversight and Audit Committee of the City of El Paso on June 18 approved revisions to the city’s internal audit charter intended to align the department with updated professional standards and prior consultant recommendations.

The committee adopted charter language that formally references global internal audit standards and generally accepted government auditing standards, incorporates a dual risk assessment approach using PESTLE and internal control frameworks, and clarifies the committee’s legislative oversight role and reporting relationships with city management. "These updates reflect a comprehensive effort to align our charter with professional standards updates, Weaver's recommendations, and the evolving needs of the internal audit department," Adrian Serrano, chief internal auditor, said during the presentation.

Why it matters: the changes are designed to strengthen governance and independence, improve audit planning and resource prioritization, and increase transparency about responsibilities and reporting lines. The charter also adds requirements for annual confirmations of organizational independence, a formal internal audit strategy and performance metrics, and an annual schedule coordinated with the committee chair.

Committee members asked for clarifications before voting. Representative Nino suggested using gender‑neutral language—"instead of chairman, I think... chairperson that could, or chair"—and asked whether disclosures of potential impairments to independence would be written; Serrano said they would be provided as a written confirmation to FOAC. Representative Maldonado Rocha asked how many Weaver recommendations were incorporated; Serrano said 45 recommendations exist but could not provide a percentage, describing the charter changes as a proactive step to embed the recommendations into governance documents.

The committee moved and seconded the agenda item and approved the charter updates by voice vote. The committee’s action will be reflected in committee records and next steps include the annual review process described in the charter.