Sunny Isles Beach residents can apply to serve on the city's Auditor Selection Committee, a panel that will help choose an independent firm to audit the city's finances.

A resolution to formally establish the committee under Section 218.391 of Florida Statutes, the state's auditor selection law, appeared on the City Commission's Oct. 15 agenda. The city began recruiting applicants the next day, directing residents to its committees page on its official social media account.

The committee is listed among the city's active boards on its website.

The concept is not entirely new. Former City Manager Stanley E. Morris highlighted the creation of an Auditor Selection Committee in a message to residents published in the city's November 2022 newsletter. Morris described the committee as part of a push for "transparency, accountability and accuracy," alongside other advisory panels such as the Mobility and Pedestrian Safety Advisory Committee and the Environment Sustainability Advisory Committee.

Morris's tenure ended at the same Oct. 15 meeting. The commission also approved a separation agreement with Morris and appointed Susan Simpson as interim city manager. As we reported Oct. 16, Simpson stepped into the interim role following Morris's departure.

What the committee does

Under state law, the committee will issue a request for proposals from audit firms, set evaluation criteria, review submissions and rank at least three finalists for the commission to consider, according to state auditor guidance. The law prohibits fees from being the sole or main factor in picking an auditor.

Who can serve

The committee must include at least three members. One must be a City Commission member who serves as chair. City employees cannot serve on the committee, though they may advise the panel.

All members are appointed by the City Commission and are subject to Florida's Sunshine Laws and state financial disclosure requirements, according to the city's boards and committees page.

Residents interested in applying can visit the city's committees page at sibfl.gov. The city has not announced an application deadline.