Carol Stream to seek bids for audit service

Against the recommendation of its newly hired comptroller, Carol Stream Fire Protection District officials will seek bids from outside companies for auditing services.

At the board's meeting on Monday, Comptroller Jim Turi "strongly recommended" the board retain its accounting auditor of the past three years, Aurora-based Sikich LLP.

Turi said he would prefer to maintain the status quo in the wake of changes to the district's accounting procedures - to a more common accrual method - as well as last year's promotion of fire Chief Rick Kolomay.

"Because of the changes we're going through, it'd be nice to have some continuity," Turi said. "The auditors are familiar with Carol Stream fire but I also understand the need to go out to bid."

Sikich is at the end of a three-year contract and had offered to continue its services for two years at an annual rate of $8,195.

Turi said those rates are "extremely competitive" and Sikich has a strong working knowledge of Carol Stream.

But commissioners Rick Fisher and Jim Panopoulos said it won't hurt to give other firms a shot at the contract.

"I would like to see a couple of other firms to get pricing. Let's see if the pricing is competitive," Panopoulos said. "If we can knock a little bit off here, so be it."