(A) The Office of Internal Audit is created as an independent office of city government. The Office of Internal Audit is not part of the city's executive branch or the City Council. The City Auditor shall report to the Committee.
(B) The Office of Internal Audit shall independently administer its own budget, and supervise its own staff in compliance with the city's Merit Ordinance and contractual services policies and procedures.
(C) The Office of the City Attorney shall advise and represent the Office of Internal Audit, except that the Office of Internal Audit may, in consultation with the City Attorney, select an independent legal counsel to advise and represent the Office as needed in the event of a conflict of interest that the City Attorney determines cannot otherwise be cured internally.
(D) The Office of Internal Audit shall comply with all city ordinances and policies dealing with administrative functions including but not limited to those dealing with personnel, the merit system, and procurements.
(E) The Office of Internal Audit shall employ such staff as necessary to carry out its functions as prescribed by this article, including but not limited to the City Auditor, professional audit staff and other staff as may be necessary, subject to budget sufficiency and city personnel policies and procedures. The City Auditor has sole authority to hire, promote, set compensation for, discipline or discharge the staff of the Office of Internal Audit in a manner consistent with the Merit System Ordinance and the Grade Series Pay Plan.
(F) The Office of Internal Audit shall provide staff support to the Committee and administrative staff support to the Office of the Inspector General.
(G) Neither the City Auditor nor any employee of the Office of Internal Audit shall engage in any partisan political activities or the political affairs of the city during work hours.
(Ord. 1-2005; Am. Ord. 30-2010; Am. Ord. 2016-018; Am. Ord. 2023-020)