The City of Shakopee sought RFP's for auditing services for the next three years.  The city has been contracting with BerganKDV for 20+ years. They have provided excellent service to the city over the course of all those years. However, a change is auditors every so often can be healthy as they can bring new perspectives and audit procedures. 

Staff received four audit proposals and interviewed three firms. Professional service contracts differ from equipment or construction bids as the low bid is not the only factor considered.  Expertise, ability, and fit should also be considered. Abdo, Eick & Meyers, LLP displayed all these characteristics including the low quote amongst the four firms.

Abdo, Eick & Meyers is one of a handful of auditing firms that are actively engaged in the Minnesota Government Finance Officers Association (MnGFOA).  Members of their firm routinely donate their time and effort to provide trainings and updates at the Association's annual conference and other Association sponsored training events. 

Abdo, Eick & Meyers proposal calls for an annual audit fee of $33,000, $34,100 and $35,000 for the audit years of 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively.  To put the cost into perspective, the city's fee for the 2016 audit under BerganKDV was $35,900, so there will be a few thousand dollars of realized savings for each year of the audit compared to our previous auditor.

The city's RFP requested a three-year engagement with the option of two additional one-year agreements.  At this time, the city staff is only requesting approval the initial three-year agreement.