City finally set to name auditor

After more than a year of controversy surrounding the city's firing of its auditor, Las Vegas is finally close to filling the vacant position.

Human Resources Director Rick Anderson said three finalists for the city auditor position were interviewed this week at City Hall and that they met with several individual members of the Audit Oversight Committee.

Former City Auditor Susan Toohey was fired in March 1998 without explanation after she claimed a number of audit recommendations were not met. She later filed a $2.8 million wrongful termination suit which is still pending.

During the 1998 governor's race, Republican Kenny Guinn used claims of 14 hidden audit reports as a wedge against his Democratic opponent, Las Vegas Mayor Jan Laverty Jones.

The Audit Oversight Committee was created during the controversy to examine the city's audit process and make recommendations on the hiring of a new auditor.

That committee -- chaired by Pioneer Citizens Bank President and CEO Bill Martin -- will meet June 1 to consider the three finalists for the job.

The finalists are Umesh Dalal, city auditor in Arlington, Texas; Michael Ashcraft, audit manager of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority; and Steven Shepherd, audit manager in Garland, Texas.

In an effort to keep tighter tabs on the city's internal audit process, the Audit Oversight Committee has changed the job qualifications and salary range for the city auditor post.

The next city auditor must have 10 years of increasingly responsible experience in auditing, including at least five in audit management. The city auditor also must be a Certified Public Accountant or a Certified Internal Auditor.

The auditor is responsible for maintaining internal controls in both the city's accounting and administrative functions and also serves as a liaison between the city and any external auditors.

The City Council approved an increase in the auditor's salary range from $59,194 to $98,658 to a range of $66,000 to $110,000.

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