Lake County supervisors voted 3-1 on Dec. 1 to approve an amendment with CliftonLarsonAllen LLP to cover accounting and advisory services tied to the county's multi-year implementation of new accounting software.

Auditor-Controller Genevieve Harrington described the amendment as the follow-up needed to cover the remainder of the project after an earlier, smaller authorization. She clarified the dollar amounts on the record, saying the item under consideration reflected the remainder of the project costs.

Supervisor Sabatier expressed concern that the county's external auditor was being asked to help set up systems in a project tied to a roughly $2.5 million to $6.5 million software purchase (figures discussed during the meeting). Sabatier said she was uncomfortable with the auditor’s dual role and worried it presented a conflict when the same firm helps the county plan for an audit and assists with implementation. "I am concerned about a conflict," Sabatier said, calling for a broader conversation about the project and related contracts.

Harrington replied that CLA was working with outside consultants, that external auditing standards restrict auditors from managing systems, and that measures had been taken to avoid conflicts. She said the amendment allows the county to pay invoices and maintain project continuity and that she would provide more information to the board.

After discussion and a withdrawn second, the board approved the amendment by a 3-1 vote. Supervisors asked staff to return with more information about the overall software project and related contracts at the Dec. 9 meeting.

What the amendment does: The amendment extends the county's accounting and advisory services contract with CliftonLarsonAllen to cover the remaining project term and related consulting work; the auditor said the amendment was intended to avoid stopping project work and to cover invoices earned during recent project activity.

Board follow-up: Staff agreed to bring additional contract details and a fuller explanation of associated agreements to a future meeting so supervisors could review procurement choices, total costs and oversight steps.

Sources: On-the-record remarks by Auditor-Controller Genevieve Harrington and supervising remarks by several board members during the Dec. 1 Lake County Board meeting.