A handful of lawmakers will meet March 24 to begin the process of naming a new state legislative auditor. The current auditor, Scott Seacat, has announced his plans to retire June 30 after 32 years in the Legislative Audit Division.
Sen. Joe Balyeat, R-Bozeman and chair of the Legislative Audit Committee, has appointed a search subcommittee made up of himself and three other members of the audit committee: Sen. Lynda Moss, D-Billings; Rep. Bill Beck, R-Whitefish; and Rep. Hal Jacobson, D-Helena.
The subcommittee will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 172 of the State Capitol, to consider the following:
The position description for the legislative auditor;
The pay classification for the position;
Legal requirements for the position;
The legal authority and related responsibility of the Legislative Audit Committee; and
The scope of the search and a timeline for the search and interview process.
The legislative auditor oversees the Legislative Audit Division, which is responsible for ensuring that Montana government operates in an effective and efficient manner and in compliance with state law. The division conducts independent, nonpartisan assessments of the state's financial and operational activities in compliance with generally accepted government auditing standards.
Seacat began working with the audit division in 1976 and was appointed to lead it in 1985. He is the third person to serve as Montana auditor since the office was created in 1967. He has held the job longer than anyone in the state or nation.
The Legislative Audit Committee appoints, consults with, and advises the legislative auditor. It also reviews the audit reports submitted by the auditor, releases the audit reports to the public, and serves as the conduit between the legislative auditor and the Legislature.
