The council shall employ, for a stipulated compensation, a competent public accountant who shall examine, at least once each year, the books, records and reports of all officers and employees who receive or disburse city moneys; and the books, records and reports of such officers, boards and departments as the council may direct, and make duplicate reports of such examination and file one with the mayor, and the other with the city clerk. One of said yearly examinations shall be made and completed just prior to the expiration of each fiscal year. Such accountant shall have unlimited privilege of investigation, to examine under oath or otherwise, all officers, clerks and employees of the city, and every such officer, clerk and employee shall give all required assistance and information to such accountant, and submit to him or her for examination such books and papers of his or her office as may be requested, and failure to do so shall be deemed and held to be a forfeiture and abandonment of his or her office.
Editor's note: This section was amended by the voters of the city on March 26, 1996.