ST. PAUL, Minn.— Representative Sarah Anderson (R-Plymouth), Chair of the House State Government Finance Committee, has announced an informational legislative hearing on Tuesday, August 18, 2015, regarding actions taken by the Office of the State Auditor (OSA) and a recent letter they sent to Minnesota counties.
Today, Representative Anderson also sent a letter to Minnesota State Auditor Rebecca Otto, inviting her to testify during the hearing next week. The letter reads as follows:
Dear Auditor Otto,
I have been made aware of a recent letter sent to Minnesota counties by the Office of the State Auditor, asking them to sign a three-year contract with your office for county auditing services for fiscal years 2015, 2016 and 2017. Several county officials across the state have expressed concerns about this letter, and believe it is not consistent with your authority under current state law or in the best interest of Minnesota taxpayers.
As you are aware, in May of this year, Governor Mark Dayton signed bipartisan legislation repealing Minn. Statute 6.48, replacing it with Minn. Statute 6.481 which will go into effect August 1, 2016. This change in state law allows Minnesota counties the option to continue to contract with OSA or hire a certified CPA firm for audit services starting next year. Neither current state statute nor the new law set to take effect next August gives the OSA authority to force counties into a binding three-year contract for audits services.
In light of the letter sent by your office and concerns raised by local government officials, the House State Government Finance Committee plans to hold a legislative hearing on this matter on Tuesday, August 18, 2015, at 1:00 PM in room 200 of the State Office Building. As Chair of this committee, I invite you to attend and testify on the public record about the three-year contracts sent from the OSA to counties. I hope you will attend and testify to provide clarity to Minnesota citizens, county officials and legislative leaders regarding this issue.
We all share an interest in government accountability, and I appreciate the work you do on behalf of hardworking Minnesota taxpayers. Please feel free to contact my office with any additional questions.
Sincerely,
Sarah Anderson
Chair, State Government Finance Committee
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Rep. Anderson is the state representative for House District 44A, which includes Plymouth.