Title
City Audit - Review of Concerns Involving an Elected Official
Presenter:
Natalie Lovell, City Auditor, Office of the City Auditor
Body
Summary:
The City Auditor conducted a review pursuant to City Code 1.2.703 following a Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Hotline report involving an elected official. The review examined two actionable allegations: (1) the use of the elected official's security detail for non-official tasks, and (2) personal use of a City-owned vehicle. The review confirmed five instances in 2025 where a member of the official's security detail accompanied the official during personal activities, including child pick-ups, attendance at a school event, and dry-cleaning retrieval. Additionally, between May and June 2025, a City-owned vehicle was used for 152.5 miles by the official's spouse; this use was reported and properly documented through required IRS fringe-benefit reporting.
Background:
City Code 1.2.703 assigns the City Auditor responsibility for ensuring public accountability and evaluating whether City resources are used appropriately and in the public interest. In line with this authority, the Auditor's Office reviewed a Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Hotline report that raised concerns involving an elected official. Although elected officials are not considered City employees under the City's personnel policies, the allegations involved the use of City resources and therefore fell within the scope of the Auditor's oversight responsibilities. The report included two actionable allegations related to the use of the official's security detail and the personal use of a City owned vehicle.
Previous Council Action:
N/A
Financial Implications:
N/A
City Council Appointed Board/Commission/Committee Recommendation:
Audit Committee Recommendation: "strongly recommended that the administration for the City of Colorado Springs establish a clear and enforceable policy governing 'elected officials' use of City resources, specifically ...
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