Explanation
Background:
This ordinance will authorize the City Auditor to enter into an agreement for professional auditing services with Rea & Associates, Inc. for the calendar year 2025, for the City of Columbus and the Office of the Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk, and to authorize the expenditure of up to $352,000.00.
All political subdivisions of Ohio are required to be audited by the Auditor of the State of Ohio or his designee (AOS). The United States Office of Management and Budget through the Single Audit Act of 1996, as amended, has made it possible for all federal grants to be audited via one comprehensive audit.
Pursuant to Section 117.09 of the Ohio Revised Code (ORC), the AOS is responsible for audits of all public offices. For the three years prior to 2025, the AOS office performed the audit services of the City. Beginning with 2025, the AOS and the City of Columbus Auditor have concurred that the most appropriate way to meet such requirement is to engage an independent public accounting firm (IPA) to conduct an independent audit of the City's accounting records and those of the Office of the Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk including federal and state grants.
The AOS office oversees a competitive process for selecting IPAs to perform government audits on behalf of their office. In June 2025, the City of Columbus completed the AOS competitive bidding process. Rea & Associates, Inc. was selected through this competitive bidding process. The audit agreement covers five years (2025-2029), with each year being subject to the authorizing appropriation of Council. This ordinance represents the first year of this five-year cycle. This ordinance also requests a waiver of the relevant provisions of Columbus City Code Section 329 as the procurement and selection process is dictated by ORC and the Auditor of State.
Contract Compliance:
Rea & Associates, Inc. contract compliance no. is CC-049856 and is valid through July 18, 2026.
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