State Auditor-elect Taylor Wettach (WET-ick), a Democrat from Muscatine, says maintaining the independence of the office is his primary responsibility. He’s also considering ways the auditor’s office could make all government spending more transparent.
Wettach, a 35-year-old attorney, previously worked at a major New York City law firm where he reviewed and negotiated complex financial deals. Wettach says he’s looking forward to working with the accountants, auditors and Certified Fraud Examiners in the state auditor’s office.
Wettach will continue many of the initiatives current State Auditor Rob Sand started, like allowing staff to live outside of Iowa since audits are done throughout the state and continuing the program that recognizes local Iowa governments for efficiency efforts. The budget for the state auditor’s office has been static for the past eight years. Wettach says part of his job will be ensuring the non-partisan staff can do their job effectively and that means more resources.
Wettach’s term officially starts January 1st. Wettach defeated Republican Chris Cournoyer (kuh-NOY-yer) in this year’s election by about 65-hundred votes.
