CitCo’s Auditor Resigns; Who Will Replace Marilyn Garvin?
Marilyn Garvin
While the city administrator’s job is secure – at least until March 2024, Mayor Bernard Wagner confirmed today that Auditor Marilyn Garvin, is no longer with the council. Reports are that there may have been fundamental differences between Garvin and the council as it relates to spending practices. Another auditor in that department has also left. Mayor Wagner says that Garvin’s contract expired and that the council is soon to find her replacement.
Bernard Wagner
Bernard Wagner, Belize City Mayor
“Miss Garvin contract expired and Miss Garvin didn’t have any indication that she wanted to continue here. We had very good relationship with Miss Garvin. I spoke to Miss Garvin just a week ago. We have always been a transparent council, the most transparent council ever. And we have concluded our audit, our audit will be made public and you will see whatever rumours you hear out there is totally untrue.”
Reporter
“The report suggested that Misses Garvin’s departure is premised on the fact that there has been some disagreements on how the council has spent some of the funds. Just, if you can, clarify that for us.”
Bernard Wagner
“The council is a duly elected council and all spending bills go to the council for approval. The council has the mandate by the people to make policies to make decisions and that is what we go by.”
Reporter
“Has anyone else from that department left, though, as a result of any kind of tension?”
Bernard Wagner
“No. Travis Lennan was an auditor and he lives in Belmopan and he came to me and said mayor, the commuting is very tough, I have a job offer in Belmopan. And I told him Travis you are my good friend, I would wish to have you with me forever, but your family comes first and that is the end of the story with Travis.”
Reporter
“And I am assuming that a replacement will come shortly?”
Bernard Wagner
“Of course. We do believe that the audit is an important arm of the council, the internal audit. But we also have external audit and we have one of the best external audit in Cedric Flowers and he concluded his audit and that will be made public very shortly and it will be for consumption.”
