(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Charter or any ordinance or regulation of the City and County of San Francisco, the Controller shall be authorized to contract with outside, independent experts to assist in performing the requirements of this Appendix. In doing so, the Controller shall make good faith efforts as defined in Chapter 12D of the Administrative Code to comply with the provisions of Chapters 12 et seq. of the Administrative Code, but shall not be subject to the approval processes of other City agencies. The Controller shall submit an annual report to the Board of Supervisors summarizing any contracts issued pursuant to this Section and discussing the Controller's compliance with Chapters 12 et seq. Contracts issued by the Controller pursuant to this Section shall be subject, where applicable, to the requirements of Section 9.118.
(b) No outside expert or firm shall be eligible to participate or assist in an audit or investigation of any issue, matter, or question as to which that expert or firm has previously rendered compensated advice or services to any individual, corporation or City department other than the Controller. The Controller shall adopt appropriate written regulations implementing this provision, and shall incorporate this requirement in all written contracts with outside experts and firms utilized pursuant to this Section.
(Added November 2003)