In Michigan’s primary election on Tuesday, Aug. 6, Detroit voters will be asked to decide on three measures that appear at the end of their ballot. Here’s what you need to know about Proposition A, the Auditor Selection Amendment.
What is Proposition A?
Proposition A would remove a requirement in the Wayne County charter that it find a new financial auditor at least every eight years. If approved, any qualified firm could be awarded a contract for auditing services when the contract is competitively bid.
Ballot language
“Shall the Wayne County Charter Section 3.119 (e) be amended in part to allow the County’s independent external auditor, selected by competitive bid, to serve for a term of three years or more?”
What’s the history?
Voters approved a ballot question in 1996 that transferred the responsibility for hiring an outside firm from the Wayne County executive to the auditor general.
The mandatory rotation of audit firms was a reform to enhance auditor independence and audit quality. “At the time the charter was first drafted, it was a different industry,” said Mark Abbo, former Wayne County chief financial officer. More firms were involved in government auditing work when the charter was written. “It’s really unusual to have a charter requirement that requires a rotation or a new auditor be selected every eight years.”
Voters rejected a proposal similar to the one on this year’s ballot by a slim margin in 2012.
What else should I know?
Plante Moran has been Wayne County’s external auditor since 2017. Based on the current provisions of the county charter, the auditing firm wouldn’t be able to continue providing external auditing services beyond this year.
The Government Finance Officers Association’s best practices indicates a concern that the mandatory rotation requirement could result in higher fees and hiring a firm that doesn’t have the capacity.
How can I get more information or get involved?
Residents can vote in the primary election on Aug. 6. Proposition A is listed at the bottom of the ballot (or on the back) under the proposal section. Check your local voting precinct or the Wayne County Clerk’s Elections Division at 313-224-5525 to find out how to vote by absentee ballot or in person at your local precinct. For detailed instructions on how to cast your vote, visit www.MichiganVoting.org.
While I understand consolidation makes this change more challenging, isn’t changing the charter in response encouraging further consolidation? The ballot language elides the substance of the change, and vaguely stated fears don’t feel like grounds for charter amendments.
Interesting, needed information. Sorry you didn’t send it sooner. I HAD TO SEND my absentee. Ballot before this week. I ALSO WOULD HAVE liked information about Judicial candidates for the 3rd Judicial Circuit.
This is very poorly written. Leaves more questions. What will the new cap be? If the County is required to select a new auditor ” at least” every 8 years doesn’t that imply they can except a bid for less than 8 years? Very hard to make a decision based on so little explanation and information.