The Department of Inspector General provides risk-based and objective assurance, advice, and insight to help the Walton County Board of County Commissioners and Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller accomplish their objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of governance, risk management, and control processes. To facilitate the prevention and detection of fraud, waste, and abuse, the Department of Inspector General also conducts investigations, coordinating with law enforcement and other investigative agencies, as warranted. The scope of the Department of Inspector General's authority includes any operation under the direction of the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller or the Walton County Board of County Commissioners. It also includes other functions for which the Walton County Board of County Commissioners provides financial support.

 

The Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller of Walton County, an elected official and the ex-officio County auditor, derives authority and responsibilities from constitutional and statutory provisions. The Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller established the Department of Inspector General to fulfill the audit and investigative responsibilities of the agency. To provide for the highest degree of independence, staff report to the Inspector General who reports functionally and administratively to the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller who is independent of the Board of County Commissioners and County Administrator. Since the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller is an elected Constitutional Officer, and thus responsible to the citizens and taxpayers of Walton County, the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller is considered to be independent. The Department has no direct responsibility or authority over any area subject to its audits and investigations and is organizationally independent from departments within the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller’s office.  

 

• Provides public accountability for use of tax dollars.
• Serves as an independent and objective source of information for the Walton Count Board of County Commissioners, the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, and other stakeholders.
• Serves as a consulting resource for County and Clerk management to obtain guidance.
• Provides a mechanism to investigate suspected fraud, waste, and abuse.
• Promotes better government.

 

The Department’s goal is to preserve public trust in government. The Department strives to achieve this goal by maintaining the highest standards of professionalism. The International Professional Practices Framework of the Institute of Internal Auditors requires an audit activity to receive an external assessment (peer review) at least every five years. The Department of Inspector General’s audit services function was last peer reviewed in February 2024.