Salinas >> In a move criticized by the county Auditor Controller-elect, the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday assumed sole control and oversight of internal county audits.
By a 4-1 vote, the board approved new internal audit policies establishing the county budget committee as the oversight body for the internal audit function, along with establishing processes and guidelines for conducting internal audits. Under those policies, the Auditor Controller’s Office is required to prepare annual internal audit plans for the supervisors’ approval. The board can directly engage outside firms to conduct certain audits and delegate oversight of certain audits to the County Administrative Office or County Counsel.
Previously, the elected Auditor Controller had sole control over internal audits with little additional oversight.
Supervisor Luis Alejo said the new internal audit policies would lead to “more transparency” and called for the board to move forward with approval despite concerns expressed by Auditor Controller-elect Rupa Shah, who will take over for long-time Auditor Controller Mike Miller early next year, and Supervisor Mary Adams.
Shah…
