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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />DECE4iBER 20, 1995 <br />process, the City Administrator solicited proposals. <br />Eight firms submitted proposals, and three firms were <br />interviewed. Based on the proposals and interviews, <br />the Administrator is recommending that the City retain <br />Tautges, Redpath for the 1995 audit. Tautges, <br />Redpath's proposal is for three years. They currently <br />serve as the City's auditing firm. Fahey noted that <br />the City has received a letter from Dennis Carson of <br />Olson, Theilen requesting appointment as auditor. <br />Fahey reviewed that letter in detail. <br />Dennis Carson appeared before the Council, reporting <br />that since proposals were submitted, the City <br />Administrator contacted Tautges, Redpath and asked them <br />if they would be willing to revise their cost proposal. <br />Tautges, Redpath did revise the proposal amount down <br />from $21,000 to $17,000. Other firms submitting <br />proposals were not given this same opportunity. <br />Fahey pointed out that the RFP was not a bidding <br />process, but rather a request for proposals for <br />professional services. The City Administrator felt it <br />appropriate to negotiate that fee with the current <br />auditors based on the proposals received. Fahey asked <br />if Carson was suggesting it was not appropriate to <br />negotiate. <br />Carson felt that the City Council, and perhaps two or <br />three commissioners, should be doing the hiring of the <br />City's consultants. Carson stated that the City <br />Administrator is a worker, and should not be involved <br />in the selection process for consultants. The <br />selection should be an independent selection. <br />Carson further reported that the firm of Olsen, Thielen <br />has a lot of auditinq experience as well as a <br />certificate of government achievement, The firm does <br />all kinds of auditing and financial work and is <br />involved in peer review of other firms. Carson felt <br />that there was no real reason to hire an auditing firm <br />from outside the City's limits. Carson felt the City <br />should be encouraging businesses to remain in the City, <br />and also pointed out the amount of business that Olsen, <br />Theilen and its employees provide to other City <br />businesses. <br />Carson reported that the fee proposal submitted by <br />Olsen, Theilen was a reasonable one. Carson also <br />expressed concern that the City's current auditing firm <br />has the City's special assessment records. Carson <br />stated that as a citizen he has concern with the <br />independence that should be associated with the City's <br />9 <br />