Posted on: Saturday, August 24, 2002

City auditor agency makes it to the ballot

Advertiser Staff

Mayor Jeremy Harris agreed yesterday to allow voters to decide whether to establish an independent city auditor's office.

The City Council had earlier approved the measure for the November ballot as an amendment to the city charter, saying an independent auditor is needed to root out waste and help detect fraud.

Harris, whose support was required before the measure could be presented to voters, had raised concerns about increasing the size of government and about the expense of the new office, which is expected to cost up to $500,000 to establish.

Harris said yesterday that he hopes "a professional person, who is nonpolitical, will be placed in this office by the council" if voters approve the measure.

Councilman Jon Yoshimura, who sponsored the proposal, said he was pleased with the mayor's action and hoped the auditor would improve city government efficiency.

Harris rejected two other proposed charter amendments: to merge city wastewater functions with the board of water supply, and to change the schedule for calling a city charter commission.