October 12, 2006

ValleyViewpoints

City auditor sets the record straight

Editor,
Last week’s Letter to the Editor from Jerry Mungai (City manager and auditor should be reprimanded for not setting guidelines on expense reimbursement) sets a misconception as to the responsibilities of the City Auditor to examine City Council member expenditures of public funds.

As the City Auditor, in accordance with the City Charter, I am NOT allowed to audit the expense records of members of the City Council. Section 805 (d) of the Charter states: “The City Auditor shall have access to and authority to examine any and all documents…of any city department office or agency, whether created by the Charter or otherwise, with exception of the office of any elected official.” Accordingly, the City Charter prohibits the City Auditor from examining City Council member expenditures of public funds.

In addition, Mr. Mungai’s statement that “council members have charged city taxpayers for expenses that the city auditor has called questionable,” is incorrect. That statement was in fact made by the City Attorney. I hope this sets the record straight.

Gerald Silva
City Auditor, City of San Jose

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