For more than two decades, the Office of the Salt Lake County Auditor experienced frequent turnover. No county auditor completed two full terms, and most served only a single term or less. That kind of instability weakens oversight, disrupts long-term planning, and makes it harder for taxpayers to know whether government is truly being held accountable.
Chris is changing that.
- Since being elected in the 2022 special election, Chris has focused on building a stable, professional, and independent Auditor’s Office — one that residents can trust to protect public dollars and speak honestly about what’s working and what isn’t.
- Under Chris’s leadership, Salt Lake County passed legislation requiring that audits completed by the Auditor’s Office follow Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS). For residents, this matters because GAGAS-compliant audits are more rigorous, independent, and credible. They ensure audits are done thoroughly, findings are supported by evidence, and recommendations are made in the public’s best interest — not influenced by politics or convenience.
- Chris also led the effort to pass legislation requiring future candidates for County Auditor to hold relevant professional credentials, such as CPA, CIA, CFE, CISA, or CMA. This reform protects voters by ensuring that the person overseeing billions in public funds has the training and experience necessary to do the job competently and independently.
- In his first term, the Auditor’s Office has issued more than 30 high-quality, GAGAS-compliant audit reports. These audits have strengthened county governance, improved internal controls, and helped protect residents from fraud, waste, and abuse — while providing clear, actionable information to county leaders and the public.
- Chris has also professionalized the Auditor’s Office from the inside. Staff auditors are now required to maintain continuing professional education, ensuring they stay current on best practices and emerging risks. This investment in training directly benefits residents by producing better audits, earlier detection of problems, and stronger safeguards for taxpayer dollars.
- In April 2024, under Chris’s leadership, the Auditor’s Office underwent its first-ever external peer review and received the highest possible rating — a Pass. The office has also become the first in the county to send its own auditors to serve as peer reviewers for other audit offices. That experience brings new insights back to Salt Lake County, helping the office continuously improve by learning what works best elsewhere.
- Chris is running for re-election in 2026 to continue this progress. He believes the County Auditor’s role requires long-term commitment, independence, and the willingness to do the hard work year after year. His goal is simple: build an Auditor’s Office that is stable, respected, and effective — not just for one term, but for the long term — so Salt Lake County residents can rely on strong, trustworthy oversight well into the future.
