Fiscal Year 2026
On July 22, 2025, the City of Berkeley shared its Audit Plan for 2026. This plan was developed by City Auditor Jenny Wong. It explains what parts of the city the auditor’s office will look into this coming year. The goal is to make sure Berkeley is using tax payer dollars the right way, and that city services are working well for the people.
The auditor’s job is to analyze how city departments, programs and key areas of importance are performing. If something isn’t working well or if there’s waste or fraud, the auditor gives recommendations to address the situation.The audits help make sure Berkeley remains honest, fiscally responsible, safe, and fair for everyone.
What Will Be Audited in 2026?
The audit plan for 2026 includes the following focus areas:
- Follow-Up on Past Audits
There are 65 open recommendations from 9 previous audits. The auditor will check whether departments have taken action to fix those issues. Each recommendation will be labeled as:
- Implemented
- Partly Implemented
- Started
- Not Started
- Dropped (if left unaddressed for over five years)
Progress on these will be shown on a public online dashboard so anyone can see what’s been done.
- Rent Stabilization Board
The audit team will examine the finances or operations of the Rent Stabilization Board to ensure it is running properly and serving renters fairly.
- City’s Fiscal Condition
The auditor will review the city’s overall financial health. This could include looking into specific departments, funds, or programs, depending on which areas show the most risk.
- Short-Term Projects
The auditor’s office may also take on short-term or urgent projects during the year to provide quick and useful information to city officials and the public.
- Ongoing Projects
The City Auditor will finish the audit on contracts and release the audit focused on homelessness.
- Whistleblower Program
A major step in 2026 will be the full launch of the office’s whistleblower program. This includes a confidential hotline where employees, contractors, and vendors can report fraud, waste, or abuse in city government. The hotline will be open 24/7. Once the program is fully staffed, it will be open to the public as well. Whistleblowers are protected from retaliation under city policy and California law. This program was officially approved in June 2024 under Ordinance No. 7,922.
Why This Matters:
These audits help the city catch problems early, efficiently use resources, and improve services. They don’t just find mistakes, they aid in fixing them. The City Auditor’s office works independently from city management, so their reports are independent. Their goal is to help the city strive to be a model city with excellent operations and services.
For Berkeley residents, this means your neighborhood may become safer, your tax dollars may be spent more wisely, and you’ll be able to trust that someone is holding the city accountable. You can track the progress of these audits using the City Auditor’s online dashboard.
Berkeley’s 2026 Audit Plan is an important step, as it focuses on smart spending, strong oversight, and better services for everyone. Whether it’s fixing broken systems or making sure city finances are appropriately used, the Auditor’s Office is helping Berkeley stay on the right track.
Want to read the full plan? Visit:
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