Supervisors select new internal auditor

Carson City supervisors selected a Virginia man as the city's next internal auditor after a 3-2 vote.

Steve Wolkomir will have 10 days to accept the city's offer of the $65,000-a-year job. He has the ability to earn just over $70,000 annually with bonuses.

Supervisors interviewed three candidates for the position. The auditor is the only city employee not supervised by City Manager John Berkich. The auditor answers to and works on projects for the Board of Supervisors.

Wolkomir, who has held positions in auditing and finance management, wowed supervisors Richard Staub, Pete Livermore and Jon Plank with discussion of his ability in the field of performance auditing.

"I think Mr. Wolkomir stands out far and above in resume and presentation," Staub said. "He is what I think the committee and this board has concluded our auditor should be in coming years. It's just whether we can afford him."

Mayor Ray Masayko and Supervisor Robin Williamson voted to hire Cheryl Dailey, a certified public accountant from Reno. Williamson described Wolkomir as "high-powered, high-energy" in a position she said requires someone who can be unobtrusive in reviewing records and carrying out the dictates of the board.

"I get a sense of, 'We did it this way in Virginia, so it must be right,'" she said. "I don't know if he'll be as open or receptive to different ways of doing things."

Masayko said while he agreed Wolkomir had the appropriate skills, he sensed Wolkomir talked a better game of internal auditing than he may be able to preform. Dailey "would be a better fit from my perspective."

Dailey will be offered the position if Wolkomir turns it down.

Supervisors reformatted the auditor's position to focus less on financial compliance and more on making sure city departments are operating efficiently.

The city has been without an auditor since Gary Kulikowski left the position in August 2001.