Sec. 2-9. - Internal auditor and constituent liaison.

(a)

The internal auditor shall be an employee of the city and appointed by a majority of the city council to perform the duties and responsibilities set forth herein. The internal auditor shall report to and be supervised by the city council with primary contact through the chairperson of the finance committee; however, the internal auditor shall report to and be available to all members of the city council.

The person employed as the internal auditor shall possess such educational credentials and work experience as is established by the city council. The person employed as the internal auditor may be terminated for failure to perform the duties of the position as directed by the city council, or for other cause, upon the affirmative vote of six members of the city council. Generally, the internal auditor must be aware of city financial procedures and work with the finance department to maintain adequate internal controls. The internal auditor is to be available to provide special audits as requested by the city council.

(b)

The duties and responsibilities of the internal auditor shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

(1)

Assist outside auditors with the annual audit.

(2)

Provide assistance to state or federal agencies in providing financial information as may be required.

(3)

Attend city council, finance committee, and school committee meetings.

(4)

Review accounting procedures and policies and propose new procedures as required or as others become obsolete.

(5)

Monitor city, state and federal legislation that may impact financially on city operations.

(6)

Perform special audits and/or investigations as requested.

(7)

Follow the budget process, informing the city council of significant changes and issues for the next fiscal year.

(8)

Periodically perform tests of transactions by the city for compliance with existing procedures and policies within the city.

(9)

Review quarterly financial reports.

(10)

Provide information as may be requested for the audited financial statements and/or single audit.

(11)

Provide assistance with compiling financial information as needed.

(12)

Assist in assuring the data processing of information is adequate to meet needs of departments.

(13)

Report delinquencies or shortages in any audited accounts and report all findings to the city council.

(14)

Report to the city council all violations of provisions of the Charter or ordinances relating to the finances or the city.

(15)

Perform such other auditing tasks as may be necessary to assure the financial integrity of the city's funds.

(c)

The constituent liaison shall be an employee of the city and appointed by a majority of the city council to perform the duties and responsibilities set forth herein. The constituent liaison shall report to and be supervised by the city council with primary contact through the chairperson of the finance committee; however, the constituent liaison shall report to and be available to all members of the city council.

The person employed as the constituent liaison shall possess a Bachelor's degree (B.A.) from a four-year college or university; or four to ten years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience and must possess computer skills, including knowledge of MS Word and Excel. The person employed as the constituent liaison may be terminated for failure to perform the duties of the position as directed by the city council, or for other cause, upon the affirmative vote of six members of the city council. Generally, the constituent liaison must be aware of city financial procedures and other city procedures. The constituent liaison must work with all city departments, especially the finance department. The constituent liaison is to be available to assist in special audits and investigations as requested by the city council.

(d)

The duties and responsibilities of the constituent liaison shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

(1)

Act as a liaison between the Warwick City Council members and the City of Warwick staff and administration. In addition, at the request of the city council, act as a liaison between the city council members and the State of Rhode Island officials and departments.

(2)

Act as a liaison between the Warwick City Council and the residents of Warwick in order to assist in addressing the questions and concerns of constituents in a timely, confidential and sensitive manner.

(3)

Research issues relative to community organizations and agencies, city departments; state divisions; federal agencies; and other organizations or entities as they relate to council members' respective constituencies.

(4)

Assist with writing proposals and grants; edit and design layout of city council publications and other communication requests from members of the Warwick City Council.

(5)

Provide effective, discrete, confidential and unbiased support to all council members.

(6)

Formulate council initiatives.

(7)

Prepare press releases and constituent responses for council members' consideration.

(8)

Develop, coordinate, facilitate, and execute events for the city council and compile information for council members' presentation.

(9)

Hand deliver confidential materials for timely deadlines and confidentiality.

(10)

Assist council members with all communications of a non-political nature.

(11)

Track mail/e-mail and print media, monitor obituaries, voter data, catalog photography, and be sensitive to all constituent concerns.

(12)

Answer all council members' requests for information in a timely manner.

(13)

Research council biographical information for constituent and communication purposes.

(14)

Provide assistance to state or federal agencies in providing financial information as may be required.

(15)

Prepare and distribute analysis of the finance committee docket items, including the tax abatement report; deliver the finance docket to finance committee members; attend city council and finance committee meetings; record minutes of the finance committee.

(16)

Meet with the purchasing agent after the council meetings to review items removed from consent calendar; assigned a PCR number and voted upon separately.

(17)

Monitor city, state and federal legislation that may have financial impact on city operations.

(18)

Follow the budget process, informing the city council of significant changes and issues for the next fiscal year.

(19)

Provide assistance with compiling financial information as needed.

(20)

Assist in assuring that the data processing of information is adequate to meet the needs of departments.

(21)

Report to the city council all violations of provisions of the Charter or ordinances relating to the finances of the city.

(22)

Assist council members with legislative fiscal issues such as completing vouchers, requisitions and payroll documents.

(e)

In order to perform the aforementioned duties, the internal auditor and the constituent shall have full and unlimited access to all city records; shall be provided with continued training as required to meet the changing MIS environment of the city's financial records; shall be provided with a personal computer capable of accessing all financial data on the city's mainframe computer, as well as software to perform the job duties described above; and shall be provided with a quiet and secure workplace in order to perform such job duties. The individual presently performing the task of internal auditor is to remain in such position and will proceed under the mandates of this section.

(Ord. No. O-98-6, § I, 3-9-98; Ord. No. O-10-21, § I, 11-16-10)