Ad-Hoc Group to Pick New Firm for Special Audit

A broad check to ensure that the city's books are in order will be conducted by San Bernardino-based Rogers, Anderson, Malody and Scott, while the newly formed financial audit ad-hoc committee will choose an independent firm to look for any cozenage in the redevelopment agency and utilities department, the City Council decided Tuesday night.

It had been unclear since twhether the city would use the same auditing firm to conduct both its yearly audit and a special forensic audit. "I feel strongly that we bring in a specialist," Councilwoman Laura Freese said Tuesday.

Although the ad-hoc committee selected Malody to conduct either or both of the audits at its first meeting March 25, that the public might perceive a conflict of interest with the firm, as one of its former employees is now working in the city's finance department.

The ad-hoc committee will meet at 3 p.m. April 29, likely to discuss the scope of the special audit. It will also need to advertise for potential firms.

The contract the City Council extended to Malody on Tuesday is for three fiscal years at a total cost not to exceed $115,540.