CHESAPEAKE — City Council appointed a permanent city auditor three years after the former auditor retired.
The group voted unanimously this month to appoint Darren Padilla to the permanent role with a five-year term and an annual salary of $118,284. Padilla, who was a deputy auditor when then-City Auditor Jay Poole retired in early 2021, has served in the interim role since.
“My primary goal is to ensure transparency, efficiency, and accountability in our city’s operations,” Padilla said in an email. “I firmly believe that a robust and forward-thinking auditing process is crucial for fostering public trust and ensuring that our resources are used effectively.”
Council members were unable to agree on the best path forward following Poole’s departure, so they opted to rely on a hybrid model, calling on some outside expertise to supplement internal auditing.
The department is responsible for conducting performance, financial and special audits of city departments and programs, as well as reviewing city policies and regulations. It also handles complaints from the city’s fraud, waste and abuse hotline, and works with finance staff on the city’s external audit contract to compile the annual comprehensive financial report.
Last year, the council contracted with Raftelis, a local government consulting firm, to conduct a nationwide search at a cost of $21,900, according to information provided by the city clerk, who said the search was not successful but that no other funds were exhausted.
City Council this year approved a two-year audit plan for the city, from July 2024 to June 2026. Some of the audits slated include an analysis of the organizational structure of the city auditor’s department, risk management for the city’s operations and business processes, health claims, the city’s Ceasefire grant and two emergency treasurer’s office turnover audits.
In 2003, the city auditor became a council-appointed position — similar to the city attorney, city clerk and city manager. Norfolk and Virginia Beach also have city auditors.
Natalie Anderson, 757-732-1133, natalie.anderson@virginiamedia.com
