Form revised April 10, 2006

FISCAL NOTE FOR NON-CAPITAL PROJECTS

Department:	Contact Person/Phone:	DOF Analyst/Phone:
Legislative	Martha Lester / 4-8149	NA

Legislation Title:

A RESOLUTION submitting a proposition to the qualified electors of the City, at an election to be held on November 7, 2006, to amend Section 2 of Article VIII of the Charter of the City of Seattle to change the appointment authority and term of office of the City Auditor; calling on the City Clerk to certify the proposed amendment to the Director of the Department of Records and Elections of King County and requesting and directing such Director to call a special election and submit the proposition to City voters; and providing for the publication of such proposed amendment.

· Summary of the Legislation:

This resolution would submit a proposition to Seattle voters to amend the City Charter to change the appointment authority and term of office of the City Auditor

· Background: (Include brief description of the purpose and context of legislation and include record of previous legislation and funding history, if applicable):

Both the City Charter and the Seattle Municipal Code currently provide that the Chair of the City Council Finance Committee shall appoint the City Auditor, subject to confirmation by a majority of the City Council, and that the term for the City Auditor is six years.  The scope of audits conducted by the City Auditor is much broader than just financial audits, and therefore it is more appropriate to have a majority of the entire City Council appoint the City Auditor.  In addition, a term of office of four years for the City Auditor is more consistent with the terms of other City department heads.  Therefore the City Council is proposing this Charter amendment to change the appointment authority and term of office of the City Auditor.

If the voters approve this proposed Charter amendment, then a companion ordinance will take effect to amend the Seattle Municipal Code to be consistent with the Charter amendment.

· Please check one of the following:

__X_ This legislation does not have any financial implications. (Stop here and delete the remainder of this document prior to saving and printing.)