Derek Dowsett is the Producer of the County Seat. Now entering his 11th season of the program, he has received what he considers a "Crash Course" in County Government.

 

The county auditor provides a number of fiscal-related services both to the state and the county. You’ve probably heard of the auditor’s office when you received your tax valuation notice in July or your tax bill in October but people don’t know a lot about what a county Auditor does. One could assume that they audit but their job goes beyond administering property taxes and doing performance audits on the county. The most interesting function of the auditor’s office is their role in watching for fraud, waste, and abuse of tax dollars.

Terry Wood sits down with Karla Johnson, Kane County Clerk/Auditor; Ricky Hatch, Weber County Clerk/Auditor; and Brandy Grace, Millard County Auditor to discuss some of the finer points on what a County Auditor does.

Highlights:

7:16 In smaller counties, the county clerk is the ex-officio county auditor.

8:27 How does the population of a county affect your duties as an auditor?

10:20 Coordinating with other auditors across the state

11:04 The many “hats” of an auditor

12:44 Coordination with cities

13:26 Conflicts with other offices

17:58 Truth in Taxation

20:10 Long-term budgeting

24:18 Misconceptions