TItle
The Board of Water Commissioners for the City of Detroit, Water and Sewerage Department approval to adopt the Audit Committee Charter and also authorizes the Director to take such other action as may be necessary to accomplish the intent of this vote.
Body
Agenda of April 15, 2026
Item No. 2026-80
Amount: N/A
TO: The Honorable
Board of Water Commissioners
City of Detroit, Michigan
FROM: Gary Brown, Director
Detroit Water and Sewerage Department
RE: Approval of the Audit Committee Charter
MOTION:
Upon recommendation of Samantha Camarena, Internal Audit Manager, the Audit Committee recommends to the Board of Water Commissioners for the City of Detroit, Water and Sewerage Department approval to adopt the Audit Committee Charter, and also authorizes the Director to take such other action as may be necessary to accomplish the intent of this vote.
BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION:
The Detroit Water & Sewerage Department (DWSD) has hired the Internal Audit Manager, who has effectively been charged with designing, implementing, and managing the new Internal Audit function of the Department. During its regular meeting in January 2026, the Board of Water Commissioners for the City of Detroit, Water and Sewerage Department (“BOWC”) approved an amendment to Article IX of its by-laws to establish an Audit Committee, which reports to the BOWC and is chaired by the Chairperson of the Finance Committee, to oversee the Department’s internal audit activities. During a special meeting in February 2026, the BOWC approved the Audit Committee members. In March 2026, a special meeting of the Audit Committee was called to introduce the Internal Audit Manager, gain an understanding of what Internal Auditing is, and educate the Committee members on the Audit Committee’s role in providing oversight of the Internal Audit function.
The Audit Committee Charter establishes the authority, roles, and responsibilities for the Audit Committee in supporting and providing independent oversight of the Department’s Internal Audit function, and all related internal auditing activities, including advising on the internal audit mandate for the authority, role, responsibilities, scope and type of activities to be performed by internal auditors. The Audit Committee shall advise and report on internal audit matters to the BOWC for final approval, as necessary.
BUDGET IMPACT:
There is no budget impact to DWSD.
COMMITTEE REVIEW:
At the Audit Committee’s meeting on April 1, 2026, the Audit Committee Charter has been reviewed and recommended for BOWC approval.