County setting next performance audits

Published 9:00 pm Friday, September 9, 2005

Snohomish County’s performance auditor is seeking project proposals for 2006 that will help make government more accountable and economical.

Kymber Waltmunson said she anticipates conducting four to seven performance audits in 2006.

“It’s an objective look at how a process or a program works in the county, where resources go and are spent, and how things are going,” Waltmunson said.

Voters approved performance audits in 1996.

This year, Waltmunson audited public disclosure costs, public defense costs and the county campus redevelopment, and revisited a previous criminal justice system audit.

Audit proposals for 2006 will be evaluated by a committee appointed by Snohomish County Council members and the county executive, with an eye toward audits that improve county efficiency or improve finances.

Suggested audits from county staff include looking at the county fairgrounds, and how county business could continue in a disaster.

To suggest an audit to Waltmunson, call 425-388-3006 or e-mail kymber.waltmunson@co. snohomish.wa.us.

For more information, go to www1.co.snohomish.wa.us/ departments/auditor/divisions/perf_auditor.

Reporter Jeff Switzer: 425-339-3452 or jswitzer@heraldnet.com.