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i <br /> JM4vf®F 14 <br /> k, U IN TY OF HAWAIJ +: ;+ STATE OF G <br /> I <br /> III, NO. 173 <br /> i <br /> I <br /> ORDINANCE <br /> i <br /> AN ORDINANCE TO INITIATE AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE III, SECTION 3-18 <br /> OF THE HAWAII COUNTY CHARTER(2020 EDITION), RELATING TO THE <br /> OFFICE OF THE COUNTY AUDITOR. <br /> BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII: <br /> SECTION 1. Purpose. The Charter prescribes that any work done by the County <br /> Auditor must be specified in the annual auditplan. The Office of the County Auditor recently <br /> launched a whistleblower, fraud, waste, and abuse hotline. Current language restricts the County <br /> Auditor from conducting precision engagements and investigations regarding information <br /> provided through the hotline. This Charter Amendment would grant the County Auditor the <br /> ability to complete routine, non-audit activities, and services outside of the annual audit plan. <br /> SECTION 2. Article III, section 3-18, of the Hawaii County Charter (2020 Edition), is <br /> amended to read as follows: <br /> "Section 3-18. Office of the County Auditor. <br /> (a) There is established within the legislative branch an independent office of the county <br /> auditor to be headed by a county auditor who shall be appointed by the county council and <br /> shall serve for a period of six years, and thereafter, until a successor is appointed. The <br /> council, by a two-thirds vote of its membership, may remove the county auditor from office <br /> at any time for cause. <br /> (b) The county auditor shall possess adequate professional proficiency for the office <br /> demonstrated by relevant certification, such as certification as a certified internal auditor or <br /> certified public accountant or an advanced degree in a relevant field, and at least three <br /> years of general auditing experience which shall include a minimum of one year's <br /> experience in the field of government auditing. A certified internal auditor or certified <br /> public accountant shall be preferred. All financial audits shall be conducted by a certified <br /> public accountant. <br /> (c) The county auditor shall submit an annual budget to the county council. The county <br /> auditor on behalf of the county council shall hire the necessary staff for which <br /> appropriations have been made by the county council. <br /> (d) The county auditor shall conduct or cause to be conducted: <br /> (1) The annual financial audit of the county, as required in Article X, Financial <br /> Procedures, Section 10-13, Post-audit. <br />