For the first time the Pierce County Performance Audit Committee has a vacancy to fill. The seven-member committee includes two at-large citizen members who have served since the committee’s formation more than eight years ago. One of those positions became available when Gerald Schmitz announced that he was stepping down.

Schmitz, a retired performance auditor for the federal government, was recognized for his service Nov. 29 by the county executive and council.

“Mr. Schmitz has provided exceptional service to Pierce County. Performance audits were new to the county in 1997, and he brought highly valued experience and expertise,” said Matt Temmel, the county’s performance audit coordinator.

The committee meets monthly and also includes three council members, the county executive or designee, and the budget and finance director.

The other citizen member is Roy Polley, a retired University of Puget Sound accounting professor. The committee decides what should be
audited, plans specific audits, acquires audit contractors through an RFP process, hears audit reports, and makes recommendations for action to the County Council. Contractors perform most of the audits.

“The ideal citizen member of the committee is interested in serving the public, has some acquaintance with performance audits, has good
analytical skills, and may have a background in public administration, government, history, business, or other areas,” Temmel said.

Performance audits have been mandated in Pierce County since 1996 when the voters amended the county charter.