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Notice/Advertisement Title: Council Hearing for Appointment of City Auditor Meeting Minutes
Contact Name: Jessica Clinger
Contact Telephone Number: 614-645-5935
Contact Email Address: jnclinger@columbus.gov
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Auditor Appointment Special Meeting Hearing Minutes
Hosted by Council President Shannon Hardin
Monday, April 27, 2026 at 4pm
Call to order: 4:12pm
In attendance: Council President Hardin, Councilmember Wyche, Councilmember Green, Councilmember Ross, Councilmember Day-Achauer, Councilmember Bankston, Councilmember Remy, Auditor Megan Kilgore, Lara Baker-Morrish, Garrett Patterson, Jacquelin Lewis, Kimberley Mason, John Tannous, Matt Erickson, Kevin McCain.
- Council President Hardin opening remarks. We are here this afternoon for a special Council hearing to review applicants to fill the vacancy of the City Auditor.
The City’s charter does not allow for a vacancy in the role of city auditor, or the designation of an “acting city auditor” for the reason of a resignation, so this process had to move quickly.
Auditor Kilgore’s last day is May 4th, so we had to move quickly to put out an application, receive applications, and schedule a special meeting to hear from these applicants.
The applications for this position closed on Thursday at noon and we had three eligible applicants apply.
We invited all three to come give opening statements and take questions today.
This conversation is critical because the Auditor plays a role in all the financial transactions the City is a part of.
We have a history of having a strong city auditor to keep Columbus on solid financial footing.
For 40+ years, we had Mr. Hugh Dorrian, a steward of the city’s finances and kept Columbus on a strong footing with our triple AAA bond rating.
Auditor Megan Kilgore followed in Mr. Dorian’s tradition of strong financial stewardship and independence. She modernized the office with technology and has improved so many processes.
This is an office with a tradition of both excellence and longevity.
The Auditor office oversees seven departments including the collection of revenues which includes around $1.2 billion in annual income tax, maintaining the City’s debt portfolio, managing citywide accounting, financial reports, payroll for city employees and that is just scratching the surface.
These are big shoes we are here to fill tonight, but I think we are up for the task.
- Auditor Kilgore opening remark. Remind Council of the duties of the City Auditor and the qualifications needed. Discussion of this moment in history for the city and the office.
- Garrett Patterson opening statement and remarks. Answer Councilmember questions.
- Jacquelin Lewis opening statement and remarks. Answer Councilmember questions.
- Kimberley Mason opening statement and remarks. Answer Councilmember questions.
Councilmember deliberations and discussion. Council plans to have more discussion during the regularly scheduled Council meeting.
Meeting Adjourned at 5:22pm