Search is on for a new auditor general

The search is officially on for a new auditor general for Greater Sudbury.

Meeting this week, councillors struck a committee to oversee the process of replacing Mayor Brian Bigger, who was the city's first AG and held the job from 2009 until his election in October.

Ward 8 Coun. Al Sizer, Ward 10 Coun. Fern Cormier and Ward 11 Coun. Lynne Reynolds will join Bigger and audit committee chair Mike Jakubo on a panel to sift through applicants, conduct interviews and, eventually, recommend someone for the job.

Unlike Bigger, who was hired for a three-year term, the next auditor will get a five-year contract. The longer term will help the city attract more experienced candidates, the mayor said, who may not be willing to apply without more job security.

“A shorter term does impact the ability to recruit,” Bigger said.

Once the recruitment process is complete, Jakubo, as chair of the audit committee, will offer the top candidate the job on behalf of city council.

The position is currently held by interim auditor Vasu Balakrishnan, who was given permission earlier this year to hire two senior auditors on short-term contracts while a permanent replacement for Bigger was found.