Council News Release

Councilmember Jean Godden

Acting City Auditor is recommended for full, four-year term
David Jones has served in interim capacity since July

SEATTLE – Today, City Councilmember Jean Godden, Chair of the Finance and Budget committee, is recommending the appointment of Acting City Auditor David Jones to a full four-year term as Seattle City Auditor. Jones has been acting City Auditor since July of this year when former City Auditor Susan Cohen resigned to take a position with the federal government.

“I’m pleased to make this recommendation to my council colleagues. Seattle is lucky to have an exceptionally well-qualified candidate in David,” said Councilmember Godden. “I have no doubt that he will lead the auditor’s office to excel in serving both the city and our citizens.”

Jones joined Seattle’s Office of City Auditor in April 1996. Before joining the City, Jones worked for two years with the State of Washington’s Office of Financial Management and 11 years with the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) including a two-year tour with GAO’s Latin America office in the Republic of Panama.

Since joining the City Auditor’s office, Jones has led audits on many topics including police patrol officer staffing, use of federal grant funds, information systems security, indigent public defense services, cash handling operations, public participation processes, pedestrian and bicyclist mobility around and through construction sites and homeland security efforts. Jones received a Bachelor’s Degree from Haverford College and a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from Harvard University.

The recommendation will be made in a Clerk File that will be discussed at Council Briefing on Monday, Dec. 7, 2009. Public comment on the recommended appointment will be taken at the beginning of the meeting which is scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m. in Council Chambers.

Following the briefing the Full Council is expected to take up the issue and vote on the Clerk File as early as Dec. 14, 2009 at the regularly scheduled Full Council meeting. If approved the appointment would take effect immediately.

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