Norman City Council discussed a three-year audit plan and internal audit charter at a special meeting on Tuesday.
Prior to discussing the audit charter, council met in executive session, where they discussed the potential purchase of property on the Griffin Memorial site, conducting a mid-year review of the internal auditor and a pending tort claim.
The executive session lasted until the last four minutes of the meeting.
Triennial audit plan
The news: Council discussed a three-year audit plan covering fiscal year ending 2025 to fiscal year ending 2027.
According to a staff report, the audit plan intends to meet the city’s strategic goals, address high risks and comply with legal requirements. The report adds 800 hours have been allocated to Norman City Council and city management for audit requests.
The staff report states the plan will benefit the city by enhancing accountability, improving efficiency, assuring compliance and increasing public trust.
“Transparent audits demonstrate the City’s commitment to governance, transparency, and responsible management of taxpayer dollars,” the report reads.
The city auditor’s office estimated 5,592 hours will be available during the plan’s period, according to the plan document. The plan notes 3,520 hours were allocated to scheduled audits and 2,072 hours were allocated to other audit services, such as unscheduled audit requests, investigations, audit plan development, committee participation and a fraud training program.
Triennial audit plan
The news: Council also entered executive session to discuss the possible purchase of property on the Griffin Hospital Property.
In February, council discussed a Griffin master plan, which included using property for residential areas and preserving historical sites, including Hope Hall and the chapel. A presentation listed guiding principles of development, such as connecting the area with surrounding neighborhoods, providing affordable housing and becoming a center for artistic expression.
According to the presentation, a residential area on the site could accommodate 5-8% of 2045 housing needs as projected by the AIM Norman comprehensive plan, which calculates up-to 185,759 residents in Norman by 2045.
February’s presentation also included four different concepts for the property:
The first concept proposed 1,785 units, including 285 small-site single-family units, 492 walk-up units, 60 mixed-use upper level units, 49 historic units and 900 “Texas doughnut” units. Texas doughnut refers to a wrap-around apartment complex with a parking lot, according to Small Towns.
The second concept proposed 1,672 units, including 269 small-site single-family units, 567 walk-up units, 48 mixed-use upper level units, 48 historic units and 740 “Texas doughnut” units.
The third concept proposes 1,843 units, including 242 small-site single-family units, 849 walk-up units, 86 mixed-use upper level units, 66 historic units and 600 “Texas doughnut” units.
The fourth concept proposed 1,672 units, including 312 small-site single-family units, 628 walk-up units, 72 mixed-use upper level units, 48 historic units and 600 “Texas doughnut” units.
This story was edited by Ismael Lele.
