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Oakland, California <br />Population is 420,000 City Budget is $1.3 billion The Mayor has executive authority <br />Elected Auditor has 10 perfonnance auditors and two administrative staff and a $1.9 million <br />budget <br />Oakland's residents elect the City Auditor every four years. <br />DUTIES OF AUDITOR In addition to performance audits, the Auditor reports fraud, waste, <br />retaliations and complaints as well as "kickbacks." If any wrongdoing becomes a criminal act, the <br />matter is then referred to the Office of District Attorney. All other evidence of wrongdoing may <br />follow the City's personnel directives or other standards for discipline. The Auditor's style is one <br />of "collaborative change agent." Oakland's Auditor Office believes this style of leadership is <br />preferred because it eliminates walls and encourages transparency. <br />INDEPENDENCE No one within Oakland's administration can influence what is reviewed or <br />audited. The City Charter gives the office the authority to audit "anything" in Oakland's City <br />government. The City Auditor works for all Oakland's residents and does not work for any other <br />division or departments. <br />ACCESS TO INFORMATION The City Charter provides full access. <br />ACCOUNTABILITY Eight of the ten audit staff (including the elected auditor) are certified <br />auditors. All audits are performed according to the Generally Accepted Government Auditing <br />Standards (GAGAS). Audits are shared with the administration that is kept informed every step of <br />the process in order to clarify and provide assistance when recommendation/s are submitted. <br />FUNDING The Mayor proposes a budget and the City Council decides collaboratively with its <br />Lay Budget Committee Members. The Office of the City Auditor states it is currently staffed at <br />50% of a required level for a city of Oakland's size. The auditor's budget is 0.15% of the total <br />city budget. <br />OTHER UNIQUE PROVISIONS The Office of the Auditor consistently performs follow-up to <br />ensure compliance with recommendations. Unpaid Master Fellows students and the assistance of <br />college interns are assets to the Audit Office. <br />