According to a recent audit, the city’s current performance measurement system could use some work. The audit, which covered the period of time between 2012 and August 2014, was conducted to determine whether the city’s current performance measure system provides “timely, accurate, and relevant information.” The Office of the City Auditor found some problems. The […]
Office of the City Auditor
This city department is created by the city’s charter in order to establish and ensure “accountability transparency, and a culture of continuous improvement in city operations.”
Posted inLocal Politics
Council switch complicates City Auditor search
In addition to all the other changes that will soon take place at City Hall, Austin needs a new City Auditor to replace Ken Mory, who is stepping down in December. And, like everything else these days, the process of finding a new auditor is somewhat complicated by the upcoming changes to the City Council. […]
Posted inLocal Politics
Council to do double-take on ethics complaints
Today’s City Council agenda features two items that deal with the city’s conflict-of-interest policy as it applies to those who serve on the city’s many volunteer boards and commissions. The resolutions — one sponsored by Council Member Mike Martinez, and one sponsored by Council Member Bill Spelman — were sparked by recent allegations against former […]
Posted inLocal Politics
Ethics complaints could get a clearer path
City Council Member Mike Martinez is working on a resolution that could change how the city deals with ethics complaints against those who serve on its boards and commissions. The changes come after Martinez’s Zero Waste Advisory Commission appointee, Daniela Ochoa Gonzalez, was accused of violating the city’s conflict-of-interest policy by an anonymous person through the Auditor’s […]
Posted inPublic Safety
Audit finds problems with how APD stores, destroys old evidence
A city audit found that drugs and firearms confiscated by the Austin Police Department are in some cases not adequately protected, with drugs sometimes stored in cardboard boxes outdoors. In response, APD officials say they are re-evaluating the department’s evidence control policies. The City Auditor’s Office presented its audit of the APD’s Evidence […]
Posted inLocal Politics
Law Department clashes with Auditor over approval of city contracts
In reviewing the city’s contract development and approval process, the City Auditor’s Office managed to unearth process trouble and engage a defiant Law Department. Both were on hand at Wednesday’s Council Audit and Finance Committee meeting. The Auditor’s Office found that out of the 14 contracts they tested, nine did not follow templates created […]
Posted inLocal Politics, Public Safety, Uncategorized
Audit finds Parks Department lax in managing safety hazards
City Auditor Ken Mory reported to Council members Wednesday that the city’s Parks and Recreation Department “is not effectively managing hazards related to patron safety” and, further noted that “there is limited assurance that hazards identified are corrected promptly.” Mory’s finding was part of an audit of the efficacy of the department’s ability to […]
Posted inLocal Politics
Strains show between Council, City Manager over Auditors’ office
Tensions continued to mount Tuesday between City Manager Marc Ott and a number of Austin City Council members. At immediate issue is where to relocate the office of City Auditor Ken Mory as City Hall is reconfigured to make room for additional Council members under single member districts. During Tuesday’s work session, there was […]
Posted inLocal Politics, Public Safety
Fleet Services says it needs more staff, bays to service vehicles
The head of the city’s Fleet Services Department told members on the Council Audit and Finance Committee last week that his department has numerous unmet needs, noting that department is short 60-80 repair bays for the city’s vehicles, including nearly 2,000 public safety vehicles. “We have about 87 bays right now,” Gerry Calk told […]
Posted inPublic Safety
Audit: EMS personnel report high fatigue rate
An audit performed by the City Auditor’s Office suggests that Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Service rank-and-file employees are overly fatigued. The document also hints that a policy of allowing patients to decide which hospital they are delivered to adds to employee fatigue – and costs taxpayers extra dollars. Auditor Ken Mory’s team presented the […]