HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem #72 - Discussion Itemr
CITY OF MIAM1, FLORIDA
57
hJftR-OFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO Non. Xavier L. Suarez DATE June 13, 1991 FILE
Mayor
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FROM Miller J. Dawkins
Commissioner
SUBJECT Manager's Request for
an Audit
REFERENCES
ENCLOSURES
This memo is in response to a recent article in the Miami Today (June
6th) in which the City Manager said the Greater Miami Chamber of
Commerce should go over the City's books and advise him on what they
find. In other words, the manager is requesting an evaluation of
his, his staff's and the commission's performance. When I asked for
an evaluation of the manager's performance, no one thought that an
audit was necessary; now the manager sees an audit as being
necessary.
I strongly agree with the manager's decision to go the extra mile to
assure the public that the manager and the commissioners have worked
with real diligence to insure the maximum efficient utilization of
the tax payer monies. I also applaud the manager's willingness to
make available the city's financial and managerial records for review
by persons having proficient skills and knowledge.
I do have a concern, however, about the procedure that was suggested
in the article. While the membership of the Greater Miami Chamber of
Commerce include persons with all kinds of knowledge and skills, a
general review by persons from this body could be of limited value,
in my opinion. In fact, the person(s) that could be involved could
be placed in a position to verify or substantiate some facts that are
not within their areas of expertise.
I would like.nothing better than to have the City Commission show its
support for the manager's initiative to have an audit done of the
city's managerial and budgetary processes. I do believe that the
private sector, i.e., a "big eight" firm which has the expertise in
auditing municipal government should do the audit.
I would like at the July 11, 1991 meeting to discuss the hiring of a
"big eight" firm who has knowledge, skills and expertise in auditing
the budgetary and municipal functions of cities the size of Miami.
Some of the questions I would like the "big eight to answer, since
like the manager, I am very concerned, are:
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Memorandum to:
Hon. Xavier L. Suarez, Mayor
June 13, 1991
1. On the fiscal level of operation, what position would the City of
Miami place in say the "top ten" cities in the nation, whose
fiscal policies are administered and geared toward long-term
fiscal soundness; which would insure the city presenting and
operating within a balanced budget?
2. On a fiscal ratio, is the City of Miami administration operating
in the most cost effective manner, to insure optimum productivity
in terms of dollars expended and returns from number of personnel
in the city's workforce.
3. When viewed closely, are fiscal practices of the administration
conducive to minimizing cash flow problems? In the event the
city should experience any cash flow problems, does city
administration have a clearly documented contingency plan to
handle the problem?
4. Upon review of revenue sources, can these sources be validated
in terms of constancy and regularity?
5. Tax Anticipation Notes, upon close analysis, what would be the
cost to the city? What benefit would the city derive and what
future revenues could be guaranteed to the city from the TAN?
6. Special programs and agencies, from a budgetary and management
perspective, what opinion can be rendered as to the cash flow
management of these various agencies.
7. What ratings would the City receive in terms of an in place
system of checks and balances as relates to proper fiscal
management; and adherence to internal policies and procedures
including Affirmative Action?
B. An opinion as to the security of future bond ratings?
9. Integrity of financial information presented to the commission,
qualification and educational backgrounds of personnel entrusted
with its preparation.
10. To confirm or deny rumor that the City of Miami is "broke" and
what is the justification for attempting to sell off the city's
real estate holdings; would these sales balance the budget?
cc: Commissioners
VIEri-ty Manager
s
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