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Post by tanouryjr on Jan 27, 2009 17:02:35 GMT -5
romesentinel.com/news?newsid=20090127-141431Currently, the County Charter says the Comptroller is supposed to do audits. However, he has stated he does not do them. Also, how can the person writting the checks also do the audits? It's a flawed system and, at this point, I favor creating a independant auditor position. Currently we spend way too much for outside agencies to conduct mandated audits. Having one on staff, that is INDEPENDANT, would save money and would catch issues like the overtime that went on for years. Just looking for some thoughts on the issue. Thanks.
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Post by wcup102 on Jan 27, 2009 18:24:59 GMT -5
Maybe I am a bit confused, Larry. How would an auditor on the county payroll be independant? I agree with the philosophy, I do believe we need an "independant" watchdog other than someone that can be "influenced".
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Post by Swimmy on Jan 27, 2009 20:19:04 GMT -5
In Utopia, this would be perfect. Unfortunately, whomever you have, no matter how "independent" you find one, everyone has a price and can be easily influenced once that price is determined...
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Post by Ralph on Jan 28, 2009 2:16:15 GMT -5
As Swimmy pointed out, the propensity for the process to be corrupted is always present…..no matter whether a staff auditor or an independent one.
But I do agree that we do need someone at some level to be watching the books. Not to do so only increases the chance for financial blunders such as have happened as of late.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2009 5:48:52 GMT -5
Well, we definately need an audit. The state comptroller comes to mind. Then, watch 'em all run for cover when the shenanigans of county govt. are exposed.
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Post by Clipper on Jan 28, 2009 12:04:06 GMT -5
Gotta think you are right Kracker. Who better to audit than the state comptroller. Now who is to audit the state comptroller, LOL. We would most likely put the fear of God in county government, but then it would be time to start looking for a watchdog to straighten out the state's crappy spending habits also.
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Post by dgriffin on Jan 28, 2009 13:15:08 GMT -5
I thought audits by the state were routine. No?
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Post by tanouryjr on Jan 28, 2009 19:56:32 GMT -5
The State Comptroller did a recent audit which found the overtime in the Sheriff's department. Remember exactly how the Comptroller got his job though. He was appointed by the Assembly over the reccomendation of the Gov. Destito voted for him and now he owes her and all the other assemblymembers. She is VERY close to the CE, therefore to think she doesn't have a say in the outcome of a state audit is crazy. They will protect the status quo until they die. I don't quite have the answer yet, but it NEEDS to be fixed. Until then, we need to all be fair and call a spade a spade. The whole system needs to be overhauled unfortunately.
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Post by Swimmy on Jan 29, 2009 7:25:22 GMT -5
And the State Comptroller is supposed to be "independent" from the rest of the political hoopla. Sad.
I agree, the whole system need a complete overhauling! We can start by getting the voters to stop voting party lines and incumbents.
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Post by Swimmy on Jan 29, 2009 7:26:05 GMT -5
By incumbents, I meant to exclude present company. Sorry for not clarifying in the previous post. We need more leaders like you, Mr. Tanoury.
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Post by dgriffin on Jan 29, 2009 8:07:29 GMT -5
I think Snickers had the right idea:
I would amend it to "unless the person is very worthy, such as Larry."
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Post by tanouryjr on Jan 29, 2009 16:00:29 GMT -5
Well, thank you all for the confidence. It's greatly appreciated! I understand the sentiment though. I often find myself doing the same thing in the booth. It's funny because I felt more confident as a challenger than I do as an incumbent. Sounds crazy but being an incumbent is kinda scary with the way things are in this area and country now. I just keep plugging away and trying my best though.
Thanks again!!!
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Post by dgriffin on Jan 29, 2009 16:56:36 GMT -5
 Larry, have you seen this book? Author describes it as a handbook for citizens. tinyurl.com/co6xceI picked up a copy yesterday. Interesting, especially the section that describes how citizens can make a difference, with practical suggestions from how to start a petition to how to hold a press conference. An amazon review: "It is about time that the subject of liberty, justice, and the silenced American Rebel was brought to public consciousness and discussion in this way. Many Americans are longing for a restored understanding of what true democracy looks like and means, and in this book, Wolf persuasively shows what can happen when normal people, ordinary citizens like you and I, truly engage in the democratic process as originally intended, and how we can use the system in every aspect of our lives and politics." Fair Warning: from my quick scan, she's a liberal, not a conservative. Nonetheless,  she makes some good points. |
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Post by frankcor on Feb 1, 2009 12:19:15 GMT -5
Larry, I am all for consolidation of services to reduce government spending. But the recommendation to consolidate the auditor and finance functions of the county should be taken out and horsewhipped. That has got to be the stupidest idea I have ever heard. Hopefully, it is a dinosaur in the evolution of political movements. You can't have the finance and audit people report to the same department head.
I suggest eliminating the control and audit department and task the comptroller with outsourcing multiple independent internal auditors as well as an independent fiscal auditing firm to do annual audits. Issue three-year contracts and rotate firms every three years. That way you give a firm sufficient time to learn the budget and systems but you get fresh eyes looking at your books on a regular basis.
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she makes some good points.