Les Simpson speaking at a forum/Photo by Noah Dawson

Amarillo City Councilman Les Simpson participated in a radio interview on KGNC on Tuesday, where he expressed his position on a proposed forensic audit for the City of Amarillo.

In an interview on “Making Sense With Michael J” on KGNC, Simpson said he would support a forensic audit, but still believes parameters need to be set before the City Council moves forward with a plan. He also said he would want to ensure this would be the best way to answer the questions local leaders are seeking to resolve regarding the City’s finances before going ahead.

“Yeah, I mean, the audit committee is meeting, but I think the focus was just on finding an individual person that could do the audit, which to me is a little bit backwards,” Simpson said. “I’d rather say, ‘Let’s identify what questions or problems are we trying to solve and what answers are we gonna get,’ first. And then, what’s the best way to do that? Is a forensic audit the best way?”

Simpson also said he thinks these are questions that the City will likely have to answer without seeking out the answers from forensic auditors.

“I think the plan is to ask a forensic auditor if we need a forensic audit,” Simpson observed. “That’s like asking a car salesman, ‘Do I need a new car?’”

Simpson’s interview follows criticism he has received in the community for his hesitation on the forensic audit issue, including from the host of the radio program, Michael J. Stevens. Simpson and Stevens discussed that criticism during the interview and seemed to end on good terms.

The forensic audit proposal, which has been a favorite of some members of the City Council and members of the community, stems from concerns over the City of Amarillo’s finances. Mayor Cole Stanley has been one of the biggest proponents of a forensic audit during this discussion.

It is expected that the forensic audit will likely continue to be a part of the conversation when the City Council meets next Tuesday.