Chattanooga voters on Thursday approved a new independent city auditor setup by a large margin.
| For the Amendment |
|
13983 |
73.07% |
| Against the Amendmen |
|
5154 |
26.93% |
Proponents said the new setup would keep the city auditing function independent of political pressures from the mayor's office and the City Council.
An audit committee of five local CPAs will oversee the new office.
Opponents said the new auditor would not be accountable to voters or to any elected officials.
Current City Auditor Stan Sewell is expected to move into the new post.
The auditor is to be appointed by the outside audit committee and approved by the City Council.
The auditor can be removed for "just cause" by a vote of two-thirds of the audit committee that is approval by the City Council.
There was a 20-20 tie on a vote by Elder Mountain residents to de-annex from the city of Chattanooga, leaving the issue in limbo.
Only Elder Mountain residents could vote.
Some wanted to stop paying city of Chattanooga taxes, but others stressed the need to continue getting city services.