HILO — A critical audit of the county Human Resources Department has netted a national award for Legislative Auditor Bonnie Nims and her staff.
The Association of Local Government Auditors recognized the audit with a 2017 Distinguished Knighton Award for best performance audit in the small audit shop category, the group announced Tuesday. The Knighton Award recognizes the best performance audit reports of the preceding year.
“We are honored and grateful to be recognized for this award, especially on such an important audit,” Nims said. “It is truly humbling to be recognized by our peers for having one of the nation’s best audit reports.”
The audit report, released in September, analyzed hiring practices in 2016. It found questionable practices in 42 of the 46 positions it investigated. It also found inappropriate involvement by the Mayor’s Office in filling positions, as well as numerous other problems.
Former HR Director Sharon Toriano resigned shortly after the audit became public. Bill Brilhante, the former deputy, has since been named director by the Merit Appeals Board.
“We also thank the administration, Department of Human Resources, and the departments for their assistance and receptiveness to our recommendations,” Nims added.
The award will be presented May 7 at the auditors’ group’s annual conference in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Councilwoman Maile David, in her previous position of deputy clerk, was one of the officials who interviewed Nims for the position of legislative auditor. David now represents South Kona and Ka‘u.
“I found her to be very confident and intelligent with a willingness to accept a challenge in a fair and positive manner. It comes as no surprise that Ms. Nims has been recognized for her excellent work,” David said. “She is a true advocate of supporting and improving county government and performs her duties with the highest degree of professional ethics.”
The report, “County of Hawaii’s Department of Human Resources Hiring Practices,” was judged on several key elements, such as the potential for significant impact, the persuasiveness of the conclusions, the focus on improving government efficiency and effectiveness, and its clarity, conciseness and innovation.
“The audit is a thorough and well-documented examination of an issue that affects a broad swath of the public,” judges said. “In particular, the audit consistently clarified for the readers why the findings mattered to policymakers and citizens.”
Each year, local government audit organizations from around the U.S. and Canada submit their best performance audit reports for judging. The purpose of the competition is to improve government services by encouraging and increasing levels of excellence among local government auditors.
Judges from peer organizations determined that this audit was among the best of 2017.
The Association of Local Government Auditors is a national audit association founded in 1985 committed to supporting and improving local government auditing through advocacy, collaboration, education and training, while upholding and promoting the highest standards of professional ethics.