City Council

~AD HOC REPORT~ Appointment of Independent Auditors Wednesday, May 15, 2024 Chair Frank Salvatore called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Present was Committee Member Joseph Britton; Absent was Committee Member Elmer Palma. From the City were; Les Pinter, Deputy Corporation Counsel, Taylor O’Brien, Chief of Staff, Mayor’s Office; Dan Garrick, Finance Director; Kara Prunty, Assistant Finance Director; Joanne Sterk, Assistant Finance Director. Also present; Ex Officio Members Ben Chianese, Duane Perkins, Michael Coelho, Peter Buzaid; and from the public were Charlie Setaro and Michael Gagne. Chair Salvatore asked Mr. Garrick to provide an overview of the request. Mr. Garrick noted the reasons for using the same audit firm including a busy budget and audit season, the outstanding 2022 audit which would deter new firms from responding to the bid request, and the limited list of available firms approved by the state and which would not create a conflict of interest. He explained the June 1st deadline by OPM for the appointment of independent auditors by the municipality. Chair Salvatore noted that there is not enough time to send this audit appointment to RFP by the deadline and Mr. Garrick confirmed that it would put the City behind on their audit submission deadlines. Mr. O’Brien discussed her experience with RSM and their response to a tight timeline for 2022 and expectation for 2023. Mr. Pinter explained the State statutes that address the appointment of an audit firm. He spoke on RSM’s competence over the years that would allow them to keep serving as the City’s independent auditor. Mr. Chianese identified himself as a member of the Audit Committee and spoke on the impact of having to find a new firm. He expressed his support for appointing RSM again. Mr. P. Buzaid asked about how long the City has used RSM for the regular City audit; Mr. Garrick noted that the City has used them since 2000. Mr. Perkins discussed the competency of the audit firm and the need to keep them so they can finish the work they have done. He expressed his support for appointing RSM again. Mr. Coelho asked for timelines of the incomplete audits including the schools’ portion. Mr. Garrick confirmed that the public schools’ have not given the city access to their software. A motion made by Member Britton, and seconded by Chair Salvatore, to recommend to the full City Council approval of an extension to the existing contract awarded to RSM US LLP so they may perform the City audit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024 in accordance with the Charter Sec. 3-16. The motion carries unanimously. A motion was made by Member Britton, and seconded by Chair Salvatore, to adjourn. The motion carries unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 6:48 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Frank Salvatore, Chair Joseph Britton