It was disturbing to read that Susan Johnson, Jeffco’s internal auditor has been fired. It was more disturbing to read Comm. Hartman’s comment that Johnson was fired because “She was expanding her authority into management review, which is not her expertise.” This raises questions. One, did Comm. Hartman, in speaking for the commission, reveal a personnel matter, perhaps violating confidentiality? Two, may the commissioners have been managing the auditor poorly? Is termination a substitute for good management? Three, if, however, as the Post article suggests, she was fired because she was investigating use of so-called P-cards, effectively county credit cards, is this not serious and open to question? Are there skeletons in the closets?
Bob Moser, an accountant on Jeffco’s volunteer audit committee suggests in the Post article that Johnson was getting “push back” from county elected officials, a suggestion that does not make me confident in county management.
Someone is going to need to convince me that all is well in the Taj Mahal. Is there any reason for Jeffco citizens to have confidence in the Commission or the management of the county?
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“After KMPG had done a factual and irrefutable audit, noting the MANY adverse areas. Jefferson County Management AGREED with many of the findings in this audit”.
Jefferson County announced they have a NEW auditor.
So when integrity and accountability are in question, people would rather be in with the old and out with the new.”
We understand why this county is referred to at times as Theftco.
Note the reason stated by Comm Hartman for firing the auditor was that auditing Commissioners was “Not an area of her expertise” NOT that it was beyond the auditor’s job description. Does Commish H think all areas of being a Commissioner are within her area of expertise? If not, is she a candidate for firing? I suspect (and hope) she relies on other experts to fill in any gaps in her expertise, just as the former auditor would have done. The firing doesn’t pass the smell test. Based on this and other actions by COMM3, I don’t think we are being well represented and hope an adequate opponent runs against Ms. Hartman.
What causes this malrepresentation? Someone needs to convince me that full-time commissioners elected at-large is a good idea. I think they should be elected by their districts and be part-time officials. If the state constitution mandates the full-time, at-large system is it possible that needs amending? How many sheriff’s deputies could we hire for $150,000 plus each year?
The Denver Post editorial page 3/31/09, addresses this auditor issue and lists other types of county problems in recent years. Notably left out was the KPMG audit of Human Services, published in 2006, that showed a department out of control financially and un-managed. Hmmm, another audit problem. Is there a pattern here?
With all of the money issues, from tax abatements to re-zonings, that commissioners and employees must address, doesn’t it seem to you that we very much need a county auditor and a good dose of sunlight? I am not confident in things as they are.