10/11/07
City Has New Auditor -
Categories: Unlike most cities, Garland's City Auditor works directly for the Council. The only other city positions that do so are the City Manager, City Attorney, and City Secretary. I'm glad of this and see it as a fundamental checks-and-balance that benefits the citizens.
I'm also pleased that we have a new City Auditor. Our previous auditor took a similar position in Denton and the opening gave us the opportunity to take some new looks with new perspective at city operations.
The Audit Committee, chaired by Council member Rick Williams, has met and has set its priorities. These are the audits that are currently planned:
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Just because an area of city government is slated for audit doesn't mean anything is wrong or suspected as being wrong. The audit, of course, confirms proper operation but it also gives opportunity for suggesting better practices and it can identify departments that are performing especially well. Since the auditor works for the Council, the Council and citizens receive the benefit of an unvarnished appraisal.
It is my pleasure to introduce the City's new Auditor, Craig J. Hametner, who most recently worked for Irving. More information is available from this City press release:
Garland Names New City Auditor
Garland, Texas—October 10, 2007—The Garland City Council has named Craig J. Hametner to serve as City Auditor and oversee the functions of the City’s Internal Audit Department. The purpose of the department is to perform quality audits and related services which provide independent assessments of the reliability and effectiveness of the City’s operations and business practices in accordance with professional auditing standards.
“The City Auditor plays a vital role as a part of the checks and balances of City Government,” says Mayor Ronald Jones. “The City Council is pleased to appoint Mr. Hametner to this important position.”
Mr. Hametner has more than 20 years of experience in auditing and accounting, including government, retail, service, wholesale and manufacturing industries. He comes to Garland from Irving where he served three years as the Senior Internal Auditor and previously he served five years as an Auditor for the City of Dallas and six years as an Auditor with the State of Texas.
“My goal is to provide the users of our work products with an independent, objective assessment in a quality manner that will have a positive impact on the city,” says Mr. Hametner.
Mr. Hametner holds certifications as an Internal Auditor, Public Accountant, Fraud Examiner and Management Accountant. He is a member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, the Institute of Management Accountants, the Institute of Internal Auditors and the Association of Local Government Auditors.
He holds Bachelor and Master Degrees in Business Administration with majors in Accounting and Finance.
He has served as an Adjunct Instructor with North Lake College since July 1996.
Comments:
I am in agreement that the City Auditor position needs to be independent from the City Manager & Professional Staff and be under the control of City Council. I had great respect for our prior Auditor, Steve Shepherd. However, this new Auditor will face the same problems as the last one, I fear. The City Manager and Auditor are subject to losing their job with 5 votes of the Politicians. Politicians don't always want the Citizens to understand or see the problems with GP&L and the last time I checked, the Auditor's reports on GP&L were not available to Citizens. If you, Mr. Athas, want GP&L to follow "The Best Practice" for MOU operation, the Citizens need to see the Audit reports and that "R.W. Beck Cost of Service & Rate Study" to develop confidence in the New Auditor. GP&L accounting is not performed in accordance with Good Utility Practice for a City Council Regulated MOU. I feel that many changes should occur and using FERC accounting methods would be my first assignment to the City Auditor. And, I would do this before I made any changes in "Chapter 50" on the City Utility Code. GP&L accounting & regulation (this is the Elected Official's Job) should be on the top of the list for the New Auditor, in my opinion. I feel the Professional Staff should be ready to clean up GP&L Accounting & Regulation, but is Councilman, Doug Athas. That is my question to you.
10/12/07 @ 11:04 Comments are closed for this post.
