PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city received two strong proposals for an independent audit and will evaluate their cost as the last determining factor. 

On Monday, the Auditing Services Evaluation Committee decided to advance proposals from CliftonLarsonAllen and from Scanlon and Associates, the firm that has audited Pittsfield for years. 

The city received two bid responses that members generally saw as equally strong. Some pushed for a new set of eyes, and some were comfortable with the knowledge Scanlon has built about Pittsfield over the years. 

They agreed that prices are an important factor and voted to advance both proposals to purchasing agent Colleen Hunter-Mullett so she can come back with financial information. 

"I think one was longer, but when I looked at it, I thought they both had in-depth information for us, and I really didn't have any issues with any of them, and I think they're both highly advantageous in that," said Kathy Amuso, who was designated to review the proposals. 

"… I contacted municipalities for both CliftonLarsonAllen and Scanlon, and no matter which one I contacted, all the CliftonLarsonAllen customers and clients highly recommended them, and the Scanlon clients highly recommended them."

She has worked with Scanlon through government since 2003 and, because both proposals were highly rated, doesn't see a reason to change.

"I think it's been pretty consistent. I think they've been good to work with; I think they found some issues that they worked with the City of Pittsfield on," Amuso explained.