Salem will audit IT, fire departments amid voter distrust in city spending

The city of Salem will hire an outside company to audit its information technology department and move forward with a fire department audit in early 2026 after recent polling data showed distrust in city stewardship of tax dollars. 

The city’s finance committee, which is made up of city councilors Micki Varney, Deanna Gwyn, Jose Gonzalez, and Vanessa Nordyke, voted Monday to authorize the audits in an effort to identify efficiencies and build community trust. City Councilor…