To save money, the City Council is considering dramatic reductions or total elimination of a department whose sole objective is to find inefficiencies and waste in city government.
Early in 2013, the council will consider cutting up to $272,971 from the $140 million city budget and eliminate the city’s Internal Audit Department.
During the budget debate last month, Councilman Marty Bender, R-at large, proposed cutting the entire allocation for the department from the 2013 budget and thus shutting down the operation.
“We’re already covered by the State Board of Accounts,” Bender said at the time. “I don’t see a reason to have that particular department.”
But the State Board of Accounts examines only the city’s financial statements. Its job is to ensure those statements accurately represent the city’s financial position.
The city’s Internal Audit Department, according to its mission statement, examines financial and operating information, identifies and minimizes risks to the city, ensures regulations, laws, policies and procedures are followed and standards are met and that resources are used efficiently and economically.
...
Bender’s proposal failed, drawing only three of the nine council members’ votes, but Councilman John Crawford, R-at large, then proposed cutting $198,000 from the department’s budget, leaving only enough to pay for it for the first quarter of 2013.
That, he said, would give officials time to revamp their mission or reorganize staff or justify their current makeup and come back to the council for a final decision.
That proposal passed 7-2, meaning the department could cease to exist April 1.
...
See the full article here
Early in 2013, the council will consider cutting up to $272,971 from the $140 million city budget and eliminate the city’s Internal Audit Department.
During the budget debate last month, Councilman Marty Bender, R-at large, proposed cutting the entire allocation for the department from the 2013 budget and thus shutting down the operation.
“We’re already covered by the State Board of Accounts,” Bender said at the time. “I don’t see a reason to have that particular department.”
But the State Board of Accounts examines only the city’s financial statements. Its job is to ensure those statements accurately represent the city’s financial position.
The city’s Internal Audit Department, according to its mission statement, examines financial and operating information, identifies and minimizes risks to the city, ensures regulations, laws, policies and procedures are followed and standards are met and that resources are used efficiently and economically.
...
Bender’s proposal failed, drawing only three of the nine council members’ votes, but Councilman John Crawford, R-at large, then proposed cutting $198,000 from the department’s budget, leaving only enough to pay for it for the first quarter of 2013.
That, he said, would give officials time to revamp their mission or reorganize staff or justify their current makeup and come back to the council for a final decision.
That proposal passed 7-2, meaning the department could cease to exist April 1.
...
See the full article here
