Jenny Wong, City Auditor
Promoting transparency and accountability in Berkeley government.
Audit News
from the City Auditor
May 2021
Berkeley in Solidarity with Asian/Americans and
Pacific Islanders
May 10, 2021 | 5:00-6:30 PM PT

The recent wave of Anti-AAPI hate crimes reveals the underlying racist struggles Asians have historically faced in this country. The spike in hate and animosity have opened old wounds of the long history and current realities of racism and violence. Come join Berkeley community and university leaders to discuss the importance of safety of AAPI residents and addressing AAPI hate.
Speakers: Mayor Jesse Arreguín, Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson, City Auditor Jenny Wong, Cynthia Choi with Stop AAPI Hate, Berkeley Rent Board Commissioner James Chang, Abby Lamoreaux with Berkeley High School, UC Berkeley Professors Margaretta Lin and Charisma Acey
Police Data Analysis Audit Presented to Council
May 11, 2021 | 6:00 PM PT

I will be presenting our audit, "Data Analysis of the City of Berkeley’s Police Response", to City Council on Tuesday, May 11. This is item #29 on the action calendar. The report reviewed 360,242 events that occurred between 2015 and 2019 and looked at a range of issues including characteristics of calls for service, police response time, amount of time devoted to calls, and traffic stops. The report recommends greater data transparency. During this presentation we will discuss our audits key findings and recommendations. You can provide comment at the City Council meeting or email council@cityofberkeley.info.
Board of Library Trustees Adopt Reserve Policy As Result of Audit Recommendation
In early April, the Board of Library Trustees adopted a reserve policy as a result of a recommendation in our 2020 audit, “Berkeley Public Library Uses Tax Funds by the Book, But More Internal Controls Needed.” In this audit, we found that the Library had a reserve of $1.5 million, but didn’t have a policy specifying how and when the reserve could be used, or how it should be replenished after use. Without a reserve policy, there was a risk that the Library would not have enough funding to be able to function during extended periods of economic uncertainty. The financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of a strong reserve policy to weather future economic downturns while continuing to provide services. We recommended that the Library address this risk by implementing a reserve policy that clearly defined use of its reserve. We commend Library management and the Board of Library Trustees for quickly implementing this key audit recommendation.
Starting in April 15, 2021, AC Alert will no longer use text messaging or voice calls as a means of providing non-emergency notifications, such as red flag warnings and local traffic alerts. Henceforth all non-emergency AC Alert notifications will be sent to subscribers via email and the Everbridge app only.
 
These changes are being implemented due to recent increases in the fees associated with mass texting and voice calling, which have made it cost prohibitive to continue using them as a means of delivering non-emergency information to AC Alert subscribers.
 
These changes will not apply to emergency alerts. In the event of an emergency, AC Alert will continue to use all available contact paths in our efforts to alert those who may be impacted.
 
If you want to receive non-emergency notifications from AC Alert, and you don’t have the Everbridge app and/or an email address attached to your AC Alert profile, please visit the AC Alert notification for instructions.
COVID-19 Vaccination Update
Vaccinations are open to all Alameda County residents age 16 and over. Go to myturn.ca.gov to find an available appointment.

If you haven't already, make sure you're signed up to be notified directly about vaccination opportunities coordinated through Berkeley Public Health. It's recommended that everyone sign up for as many lists as possible so you can maximize opportunities to receive a vaccine. The City recommends that Berkeley residents sign up for:


No matter what list you are on, keep tabs on your e-mail and take immediate action when you receive a notification that you are eligible to make an appointment.
Resources For COVID-19 Information and Updates
Berkeley City Auditor | Website