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3 golden objects Minnesota Legislature

Office of the Legislative Auditor

Legislative Audit Commission

Minutes

November 9, 2021

Members Present:  
Representative Connie Bernardy Senator Michelle Benson
Representative Sondra Erickson Senator Nick A. Frentz
Representative Rick Hansen Senator Mary Kiffmeyer
Representative Tina Liebling Senator Matt D. Klein
Representative Duane Quam Senator Mark W. Koran
  Senator Ann H. Rest

Member Absent:                                                                           
Representative Nels Pierson

Senator Koran, Chair, called the Legislative Audit Commission (LAC) meeting to order at 3:01 p.m. He said the purpose of the meeting was to (1) hear an update on the work of the Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA), (2) hear an overview of the Legislative Auditor recruitment process, and (3) consider the appointment of Judy Randall as the Legislative Auditor.

Senator Koran invited Joel Alter, Interim Legislative Auditor, to provide an update on the work of OLA. Mr. Alter said that the office released two reports in October 2021: (1) Minnesota Department of Human Rights Internal Controls and Compliance Audit and (2) a Memorandum to Legislators Regarding Southwest Light Rail Transit Project. Mr. Alter also took the opportunity to thank the members for allowing him to serve as Interim Legislative Auditor while the search for a new Legislative Auditor was conducted.

Senator Koran introduced Michelle Weber, Executive Director for the Legislative Coordinating Commission (LCC). Ms. Weber provided an overview of the Legislative Auditor recruitment process. She explained that a nationwide search had been done to recruit qualified applicants. She said that resume reviews were completed by herself; Tom Bottern, Senate Counsel, Research and Fiscal Analysis Director; and Patrick McCormack, House Research Director, to choose which applicants would be invited to first-round interviews. Top applicants moved onto second-round interviews with a panel of LAC members, which included Representatives Hansen and Quam and Senators Kiffmeyer and Rest, with Representative Erickson and Senator Frentz serving as alternates (who sat in on the interviews). Ms. Weber stated that the interview panel of LAC members had unanimously approved to recommend to the full LAC the appointment of Judy Randall as Legislative Auditor.

Representative Hansen moved to appoint Judy Randall to serve a six-year term as the Legislative Auditor ending on November 9, 2027. Senator Koran opened the meeting up for comments or questions. Several members provided their support for the appointment of Ms. Randall as Legislative Auditor. A verbal roll call vote was taken and the motion passed.

Judy Randall thanked the members for their kind words of support and for putting their trust in her to serve as the Legislative Auditor.

With no further business, Senator Koran adjourned the meeting at 3:25 p.m.

Senator Mark W. Koran, Chair

Shelly Gilb, Recording Secretary

 

Office of the Legislative Auditor, Room 140, 658 Cedar St., St. Paul, MN 55155 : legislative.auditor@state.mn.us or 651‑296‑4708