Augusta’s Charter Review Committee could take a big step Thursday toward strengthening government transparency and accountability.
Members are expected to vote to recommend adding an independent, fully funded internal audit department to the consolidated government.
“That’s the plan. Not only are we creating an internal audit department, we have that it must be funded every year,” said Lee Powell, who serves on the committee and chairs its Finance subcommittee.
Powell said particularly in light of ongoing issues within the city’s Housing and Community Development and Recreation and Parks departments, the subcommittee felt adding an audit component was essential to rebuilding the public’s trust.
Both departments, whose directors each resigned, are currently undergoing extensive audits by independent firms regarding questionable procedures and spending.
Subcommittee members thought it critical for the auditor to be independent, but hiring an external firm to perform all the work was cost-prohibitive, Powell said, so it opted for an in-house department.
The audit department will be overseen by an audit oversight committee comprised of the mayor, the administrator or manager, the head of the city’s Finance department and city legal counsel.
The committee will select a credentialed internal auditor who must be approved by the commission. The auditor is empowered to access and audit all departments, offices, boards, activities, agencies, contracts and programs.
Adding the audit language would be the second significant change recommended by the charter committee. Two weeks ago, the committee approved converting to a manager form of government
In addition to the expected Thursday vote, the committee agenda includes presentations from Richmond County Elections Director Travis Doss and Chief Civil and Magistrate Court Judge Carletta Sims Brown.
The regular committee meeting begins at 10 a.m. in the Lee Beard Commission Chamber at Augusta Municipal Building. At 1:30 p.m. the committee will hold a work session in Room 492 for discussion of other matters.
Proposal for Augusta internal audit department by Susan McCord
