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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0358.001 2024-2026Holeka Goro Inaba, Ed.D Council Chair, District 8, N. Kona Office: (808) 323-4280 Email:holeka.inaba@hawaiicounly.gov HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL a County ofHawai'i " C-- n West Hawaii Civic Center, Bldg. A on z c 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy. Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 q} q �] T DATE: October 8, 2025 t` i TO: Members of the Hawaii County Council FROM: Dr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Council Chair Council District 8 [�^^ SUBJECT: County Auditor Ad Hoc Committee Recommendation Enclosed for your review and consideration is the recommendation of the County Auditor Ad Hoc Committee. The Ad Hoc Committee made this recommendation following a thorough process and deliberate engagement with qualified applicants. On July 8, 2025, at a meeting of the Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs, an Ad Hoc Committee was established to solicit candidates for the vacant County Auditor position. Members of the Ad Hoc Committee included Council Members James Hustace and Ashley Kierkiewicz, with me serving as Chair. The County published a Notice of Employment in the Hawaii Tribune -Herald (HTH), West Hawai `i Today (WHT), and Honolulu Star Advertiser (HSA) on: - Aug. 12, 16, and 17 in HTH and WHT: I/4 page ad in A Section - Aug. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17: Legal Classified Section in HTH, WHT, HSA A copy of the advertisement is attached (Exhibit A). The Council Chair's Staff distributed a press release (Exhibit B) to media outlets statewide, and the Office of the County Clerk posted a promotional graphic (Exhibit C) on Facebook. The Office of the County Clerk provided Council Members with the graphics and encouraged them to share them with their networks. By August 31, 2025, the deadline, four individuals had contacted Tammy Shiraishi, the Office of the County Clerk's Human Resources Technician, to express interest in the position. All four were deemed qualified and advanced to the first round of interviews with the Ad Hoc Committee. As part of the qualification process, applicants submitted a cover letter, resume, responses to audit -related case study questions, evidence.of certification as an internal auditor, public accountant, or relevant degree, along with three letters of recommendation and a list of Hawaii County Is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer Comm' uU' Ref.To: Ref. Date references. Ad Hoc Committee members had the opportunity to review and score applicants' responses to the audit -related case study questions prior to the interviews. The first round of interviews took place over Zoom on September 19, 2025. Each applicant met with the Ad Hoc Committee for up to one hour, during which members asked questions designed to assess education and training, work experience, knowledge and skills, as well as interest and attitude. Ad Hoc Committee members also scored applicants based on their responses during the interview. Following deliberation, which incorporated both the case study and interview scores, the Ad Hoc Committee selected two applicants to advance to the second round. The second round of interviews for the two advancing applicants was conducted in person on October 6, 2025, at the Hawai'i County Council Chambers in Hilo. Each candidate was given one hour with the Ad Hoc Committee, consisting of a 30-minute presentation followed by a 30- minute question -and -answer session. The Ad Hoc Committee asked candidates to base their presentations on a prior audit they had conducted, addressing the audit's context, process, findings, recommendations, and impact. This format provided the Ad Hoc Committee with an opportunity to clarify information from the applications and first -round interviews, while also gaining deeper insight into each candidate's auditing style, decision -making process, and ability to communicate complex findings effectively. On October 8, 2025, one applicant was invited back for a brief in -person follow-up interview, allowing the Ad Hoc Committee to ask additional questions and gain further insight into the candidate's qualifications and approach to auditing. Based on the two rounds of interviews and this follow-up discussion, the Ad Hoc Committee unanimously recommends that the County Council appoint Ms. Clare McAdam as County Auditor for the County of Hawaii. Throughout this process, Ms. McAdam has demonstrated a strong financial background and deep expertise in internal auditing and risk management, offering concrete ideas for partnering with Hawaii County departments and agencies to strengthen its ability to serve the community. She conveyed professionalism, precision, and team -oriented leadership, with exquisite attention to detail and a commitment to identifying service gaps and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse for the benefit of our island and its people. I want to thank my fellow Council Members, James Hustace and Ashley Kierkiewicz, for their service on the Ad Hoc Committee, as well as our staff for their ongoing support in this endeavor. Special thanks to the Office of the County Clerk for facilitating this work and providing clerical, technical, and other necessary assistance. It has been my honor and privilege to lead this effort and Chair the County Auditor Ad Hoc Committee. Thank you. HGI EXHIBIT A NOTICE OF EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY The Hawai'i County Council seeks interested and eligible applicants for the position of County Auditor. Applicants shall: 1. Possess adequate professional proficiency for the office demonstrated by relevant certification, such as certification as a certified internal auditor or certified public accountant or an advanced degree in a relevant field; and 2. Have at least three years of general auditing experience which shall include a minimum of one year's experience in the field of government auditing. The annual salary for the County Auditor is $162,540. The County also provides an excellent benefits package. Please call 961-8491 for details relating to benefits. The primary duty of the County Auditor is to conduct performance and/or financial audits of the funds, programs, services, and operations of any County agency, executive agency, or program, as set forth by the County Auditor in an annual audit plan. The County Auditor also investigates allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse within County operations. In addition to the auditing functions, this position is the administrative head of the Office of the County Auditor and oversees three audit analysts and an administrative assistant. The County Auditor serves a six -year term once appointed by the Hawaii County Council and may be reappointed to additional terms of office. To learn more about this position and information on how to apply, visit lobs.hawaiicounty.gov. . The deadline to submit an application is August 31, 2025. The Hawaii County Council thanks all applicants in advance for their interest in serving our community. Hawaii County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer EXHIBIT B _PLY To learn more about this position and information on how to a t visit our � pp Y, website at jobs.hawaiicounty.gov EXHIBIT C MEDIA RELEASE July 29, 2025 Contact person: Jessica Valdez Special Assistant to the Council Chair Office of the County Clerk, County of Hawaii Office Phone: (808) 961-8387 Email: jessicavaldez(i hawaiicounty.Qov RE: VACANT LEGISLATIVE COUNTYAUDITOR POSITION The Hawaii County Council seeks interested and eligible applicants to fill the position of County Auditor. The primary duty of the County Auditor is to conduct performance and/or financial audits of programs, services, funds, and operations of any County agency, executive agency, or program, as set forth by the County Auditor in an annual audit plan that is transmitted to the County Council and the Mayor and filed with the County Clerk as public record. The County Auditor directly oversees three audit analysts and an administrative assistant. The general requirements for the position are an adequate professional proficiency for the office demonstrated by relevant certification, such as certification as a certified internal auditor or certified public accountant or an advanced degree in a relevant field, and at least three years of general auditing experience which shall include a minimum of one year's experience in the field of government auditing. "Our kuleana is to find the best possible candidate to be our next County Auditor," said Hawaii County Council Chair Dr. Holeka Goro Inaba. "A large part of our role as public officials is to be the best possible stewards of the County's resources, which includes ensuring the proper expenditure of taxpayer funds and that County programs are effectively operated under the law. Our County Auditor is tasked with those critical oversight responsibilities, holding County agencies accountable and working collaboratively with them to maximize their efficiency and efficacy." The current annual salary for the County Auditor position is $162,540. The County also provides an excellent benefits package, which includes medical, vision, and dental coverage, 21 days of paid vacation annually, 21 days of paid sick leave annually, recognition of 13 holidays and the day of the General Election, and a generous retirement plan. Once appointed by the Council, the County Auditor will serve a term of six years. Hawai `i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer To learn more about this position and information on how to apply, visit our website at jobs.hawaiicounty. ov. The deadline to submit an application is August 31, 2025. The Hawaii County Council thanks all applicants in advance for their interest in serving our community. Hawaii County is an equal opportunity provider and employer. HGI