An audit committee is established in and for the city. (Ord. 5172 § 2, 1997)

The audit committee shall consist of five members. All members shall be appointed by the council and shall serve without compensation. (Ord. 5400 § 1, 2004: Ord. 5240 § 1 (part), 1999: Ord. 5172 § 3 (part), 1997)

Each appointed member of the audit committee shall be a qualified elector of the city, or own a business or be employed in the city at the time of appointment and throughout incumbency. All members of the audit committee shall be public members who shall be persons with relevant experience serving as a corporate officer, auditor, attorney or professional consultant to business, government or organizations. (Ord. 5400 § 2, 2004: Ord. 5172 § 3 (part), 1997)

Section 28 of Ord. No. 5669, adopted Sept. 8, 2009, repealed § 2.82.040 which pertained to terms of office and derived from Ord. 5172, 1997; Ord. 5240, 1999; and Ord. 5400, 2004.

Section 29 of Ord. No. 5669, adopted Sept. 8, 2009, repealed § 2.82.050 which pertained to vacancies and derived from Ord. 5172, 1997.

Whenever in the sole discretion of the city council, the council believes that the best interests of the city shall be served, any appointed member of the audit committee may be removed from office by majority vote of the council. (Ord. 5240 § 1 (part), 1999: Ord. 5172 § 3 (part), 1997)

Annually, the audit committee shall elect a chairperson and a secretary who shall hold office until June 1st of the following year or until expiration of the term of appointment whichever shall first occur. In the absence of the chairperson at any meeting, the members shall select a chairperson pro tempore who shall preside over the meeting of the audit committee. (Ord. 5240 § 1 (part), 1999: Ord. 5172 § 3 (part), 1997)

The audit committee shall meet at least once quarterly at a time and place selected by a vote of its members. Written notice of each such meeting shall be provided pursuant to the Ralph M. Brown Act as it now exists or may hereafter amended.

Special meetings of the audit committee may be called by the chairperson or any three members. Written notice of each special meeting shall be provided pursuant to the Ralph M. Brown Act as it now exists or may hereafter be amended. (Ord. 5172 § 3 (part), 1997)

Three members of the audit committee shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may adjourn from time to time to another place or at another time. (Ord. 5172 § 3 (part), 1997)

A. The primary function of the audit committee is to review the financial information which will be provided to various parties, the system of internal controls and provide independent recommendation to the city council regarding the scope, areas of audit and priority.

B. The audit committee shall, under the direction of the city council, review and recommend to the city manager the annual work plan and priorities of the city auditor and may from time to time direct inquiry to the city auditor within the scope of his or her duties, and receive any response as the audit committee may require.

C. The audit committee shall recommend to the city council the independent accountants to be nominated, the compensation of the independent accountants, and review and recommend the discharge of the independent accountants.

D. The audit committee shall report its actions to the city council at least once annually with such recommendations as the audit committee may deem appropriate.

E. The audit committee shall perform such other functions as assigned by law, or as required by the city council which are not inconsistent with the city Charter. (Ord. 5240 § 1 (part), 1999: Ord. 5172 § 3 (part), 1997)

A. The audit committee may adopt, from time to time, such rules or procedures as it may deem necessary to properly exercise its powers and duties. All such rules shall be subject to the prior approval of the city attorney and shall, after adoption, be kept on file in the office of the city clerk.

B. The chairperson of the audit committee may form ad hoc subcommittees among its various members to investigate and analyze those issues which are within the committee's jurisdiction. (Ord. 5172 § 3 (part), 1997)

The director of administrative services or his or her designee, the city manager or his or her designee, and the city auditor or his or her designee shall attend each meeting and provide advice or assistance as requested by the audit committee. The director of administrative services or his or her designee shall provide stenographic or other assistance as is necessary to maintain records of the audit committee proceedings. All other officers, divisions and division heads of the city shall cooperate and render all of, or on behalf of, the city by virtue of their activities as audit committee members. (Ord. 5400 § 4, 2004: Ord. 5240 § 1 (part), 1999: Ord. 5172 § 3 (part), 1997)

Neither the audit committee nor any individual member thereof shall incur any financial liability or responsibility in the name of, or on behalf of, the city by virtue of their activities as audit committee members. (Ord. 5172 § 3 (part), 1997)