City Refreshes Contract with Auditor
The new three-year deal between Oak Forest and Sikich LLP for auditing services continues the pair's five-year relationship. The contract calls for two minor bumps in costs in year two and three, and can be extended an additional two years.
The city of Oak Forest will continue to open its books to Sikich LLP for at least the next three years of auditing services, after aldermen Tuesday agreed to a new three-year contract.
Sikich, which audited the city's books for the past five years, was lauded by Oak Forest Finance Director Colleen Julian for their work during the previous contract.
“We have been with Sikich for the last five years and I think they have a large presence in the municipal audit field,” Julian said. “They've done a great job.”
The contract with the city did not go out to open bid, Julian said, because of the relationship Sikich and the city have developed.
“If I thought it would add a lot of benefit to the city, I would recommend going out and looking at other services,” Julian said. “What I'm concerned with is somebody low-balling just to get their foot in the door and not having the organizational knowledge that Sikich has developed over the last few years, so I just don't see it having a benefit to the city.”
The new three-year deal calls for a zero percent increase on the cost of the auditing services this year, at a cost of $29,150. There will be a 1-percent and 2-percent raise in the cost in the second and third year of the contract, respectively.
The new contract also calls for a new team to take over Oak Forest's auditing process at Sikich, something Julian said was a positive.
“They're going to switch partners, just to have fresh eyes,” she said. “Just to make sure we're looking at things from a different perspective.”
The new contract was approved in a unanimous 7-0 vote.
Brian
10:31 am on Thursday, February 28, 2013
Let me just get this out of the way first, but I don't have much respect for Mrs. Julian. In my view, here opinions have led the city down a road of ever increasing spending. I have also "heard" that she doesn't live within the city, which greatly concerns me for someone who is essentially steering the ship at times. It is my strong belief that all city management positions should be held by established residents.
Isn't it a conflict of interest to have the finance director recommending an auditor, after all what are they auditing? Its good that an increase in cost isn't hitting us now, and a minimal one is only in the works. Still No Bid, and on her recommendation? I wish our elected officials would have a spine and require things like this to be bid-out automatically. As with previous contracts you don't have to take the lowest bidder, but the one that gives the best value. It may end up being this exact firm, but the bid process should always take place.
The people of Oak Forest and the press should take a close look at these people who have been involved under several administrations;
Adam Dotson
Colleen Julian
Jim Richmond
Troy Ishler
Bob Laird
10:40 am on Thursday, February 28, 2013
But Dixon had such good luck with their auditors.
phxdr
11:00 pm on Thursday, February 28, 2013
Brian- Someone is paying attention aren't they? You have to understand (which I think you already do), that dealing with the city of Oak Forest officals is like dealing with a used car salesman. You often times hear some things that are not reality but investigate on your own and you see the real picture. There is NO excuse this comming election for incumbents to be re-elected....NONE!
There needs to be some new leadership. We can just continue to rotate people in and out. Example A is Hank. Kelly was a train wreck of a Mayor and so is Hank. So come the next election when Hank does have a challenger vote him out and continue to elected new people until we get some people in who respect the taxpayers hard earned tax dollars instead of "perks" for city employees, waste and cronyism. This also goes for the Alderman.
* Note to Oak Forest Patch editor. I and I think many Oak Forest Patch readers would like to see how the Mayor and Alderman have voted on taxes prior to the election for their entire term in office. I am also contacting a local newspaper asking the same be done for Oak Forest leaders in office. Some can sugar coat things with email lists all they want but the facts are black and white on their voting record.