Chapter One Federal Government - Minnesota State Legislature

Chapter
Two
State Executive Offices
Chapter Two State Executive Offices
16
OFFICE OF THE STATE AUDITOR
Constitution provides: The state auditor is an officer in the executive department. To qualify as
state auditor a person must be a qualified voter, twenty-one years old, and elected by the people
(Article V).
Term: Four years Statutory Salary: $102,258
Patricia Anderson
(Republican)
THE STATE AUDITOR IN MINNESOTA
525 Park St., Suite 400, St. Paul 55103
(651)296-2551
Web site: www.auditor.state.mn.us
E-mail: state.auditor@auditor.state.mn.us
Elected: 2002 Term expires: January, 2007
The state auditor serves as a watchdog for Minnesota taxpayers and helps to assure integrity,
accountability, and cost-effectiveness in government throughout the state. The state auditor has
oversight responsibilities for approximately 4,300 units of local government in the state. The state
auditor assures that tax dollars are being spent in accordance with law and provides local governments
with information to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the services they deliver.
The state auditor serves on the State Executive Council, State Board of Investment, Land Exchange
Board, Public Employees Retirement Association Board, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency
Board, and the Rural Finance Authority Board.
Audit Practice Division conducts annual financial and legal compliance audits of Minnesota counties,
the three first-class cities, and other entities as required by statute or as the state auditor deems
is in the public interest. This division establishes uniform reporting standards and provides technical
assistance and education to promote cost-effectiveness and efficiency in local government.
Deputy State Auditor: Greg Hierlinger, (651)296-7003
Government Information Division collects, researches, examines, and issues reports on the overall
financial condition of over 3,500 local governments. It also issues other special studies on local
government finances as well as an annual best practices review of the delivery of public services by
local governments. Reports produced by the division are available on the state auditor’s web site.
Deputy State Auditor: Tony Sutton, (651)282-6112
Legal/Special Investigations Division reviews audit reports and provides private auditors with the
minimum legal requirements of a public audit, reviews local government expenditures for
compliance with Minnesota laws, and investigates allegations of malfeasance, misfeasance, and
nonfeasance in local government.
Deputy State Auditor, General Counsel: Carla Heyl, (651)297-3673
Pension Division monitors investment, financial, and actuarial reporting for over 720 public pension
funds in Minnesota. This division tracks local tax dollars that are contributed to these funds
and promotes fiscally sound management and compliance with state law.
Director of Pension Division: Judith M. Strobel, (651)296-5985
Tax Increment Financing Division promotes legal compliance and accountability through examination
and audit of political subdivisions’ use of tax increment financing (TIF). The division
reviews annual reports containing financial information from over 2,100 TIF districts and performs
legal compliance audits on TIF districts throughout the state.
Assistant State Auditor for TIF, Finance, and Investment: Arlin B. Waelti, (651)296-4716