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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />DECEI~SBER 20, 1995 <br />indicated that he was sure Olsen Theilen could do the <br />City's audit, but stated that he was not convinced that <br />over the lonq-term the City would get the same quality <br />of service or product. Cost was not the main factor in <br />making the decision. The Administrator reported that <br />the firm submitting the lowest cost was not even <br />interviewed. <br />Carson stated that he was not questioning the City's <br />special projects costs, and felt that the City got good <br />value for the dollars spent. Carson reported that his <br />firm has reviewed the financial records for the City of <br />Grand Rapids, which is audited by Tautges. In that <br />review, Olsen Theilen found over $20 million in plant <br />missing, and had to convince Tautges to given an <br />adverse opinion. <br />Carson indicated that now that the City has a good <br />Administrator and a good Accountant, he feels it time <br />for another firm to do an audit and get a fresh look. <br />Carson reported that Tautges has been doing the City's <br />auditing and bookkeeping for years, and asked how the <br />City knows they have been doing a good job. <br />Fahey asked if the City records are all in-house. <br />The City Administrator replied that the City has all <br />its records. <br />Carson pointed out that Tautges has done all the <br />adjusting of the City~s records. Carson felt that the <br />City needed a clean look by Olsen Theilen or another <br />firm to see how the records are. Carson stated that he <br />has always heard the Tautges firm is a good one, but <br />pointed out that the City can always buy special <br />expertise when it wants it. <br />Rob Tautges of Tautges Redpath suggested that if Carson <br />has prbblems with the independence issue, he take them <br />to the Board of Accountancy and they be dealt with in <br />that arena. Taugest also stated that, if necessary, he <br />could tear the issues raised in Mr. Carson's letter to <br />shreds. Tautges made the same suggestion if Carson <br />feels there is something inappropriate being done. <br />Tautges stated that his firm is a quality firm which <br />has worked hard for the City. Since the City has hired <br />an Accountant great strides have been made in bringing <br />accounting work in-house. <br />Fahey asked what original City records Tautges has in <br />their firm that somehow compromises the independent <br />relationship between the City and the firm. <br />13 <br />