Audit Committee Seen as Important Tool for Dismantling Structural Racism
MILWAUKEE – In pursuit of improved efficiency, cost savings, and racial equity, the Board of Supervisors has created a new standing committee to improve oversight and accountability for policy implementation within Milwaukee County government.
“The Audit Committee is a concrete step towards achieving racial equity and improving the health of black and brown communities in Milwaukee County,” said Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson. “All county policies, procedures and programming should align with our recently adopted racial equity ordinance, and the Audit Committee will help us do that.”
The first item the Audit Committee will consider is a requested informational report on Milwaukee County’s progress towards achieving racial equity and the recommendations contained in the audit report, “Pulling Back the Curtain: A Look at Milwaukee County’s Workforce through Racial and Gender Equity Lenses from 2009 to 2019.”
Chairwoman Nicholson has appointed Supervisor Sequanna Taylor to serve as chair of the new committee. Supervisors Willie Johnson, Jr., Jason Haas, Supreme Moore-Omokunde, Felesia Martin, and Liz Sumner will also serve on the committee. The first meeting will be on June 16.
“Milwaukee County is committed to achieving racial equity, but to do that we have to rework many of our policies and practices,” said Taylor. “By working closely with the Audit Division, we will identify opportunities to revise our policies and begin to dismantle the structural racism that contributes to worse health outcomes for people of color.”
Prior to the creation of the separate Audit Committee, the Finance and Audit Committee reviewed reports produced by the Audit Division, located within the Office of the Comptroller. Chairwoman Nicholson proposed creating the Audit Committee so the Board can dedicate more time and focus to reviewing audit reports, particularly as they relate to the County’s vision of improving health outcomes by achieving racial equity.
Milwaukee County adopted a racial equity ordinance in April, with the stated goal of “advancing the strategic priority of achieving racial equity to improve the health of the entire community by eliminating any racism in the County’s policies, procedures, practices, and power structures.”
