Title
Honoring Dana DeMaster for Her Service on the Audit Committee.
Body
WHEREAS, the Saint Paul City Council recognizes the vital role of the Audit Committee in evaluating the financial and program performance of City departments, thereby fostering public trust and ensuring high-quality service delivery, transparency, and accountability; and
WHEREAS, Dana DeMaster brings over twenty years of experience in organizational and human services program evaluation, and currently serves as the Director of Innovation and Strategy for Ramsey County, where she oversees initiatives in local government administration, contract management, non-enterprise information systems, research and evaluation, business analytics, and operational services such as document scanning and mail delivery; and
WHEREAS, Dana earned her Master of Public Policy from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and her Bachelor of Arts from the College of Saint Catherine; and
WHEREAS, Dana has demonstrated her commitment to community through service as a Board Member for streets.mn and the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota, and she was also the Area III Coordinator, and Board President of the Fort Road Federation; and
WHEREAS, Dana has served on the Audit Committee since 2022 with distinction and dedication, making significant contributions to the Committee’s effectiveness and the advancement of the City's oversight efforts; and
WHEREAS, Dana’s most significant contribution to the Audit Committee was leading a shift in how the Committee contracted for professional services, streamlining the process and enabling the Committee to dedicate more time to auditing and less time focusing on the contracting process; and
WHEREAS, Ward 3 Councilmember Saura Jost said that “It’s been a true education working with Dana on the Audit Committee. Her thoughtfulness and deep knowledge of City processes are going to be impossible to replace. We are incredibly grateful for the time and insight she’s given Saint Paul”; and
WHEREAS, Dana’s thoughtful insights, steadfast commitment, and professional expertise were instrumental in the completion of two key studies since the Audit Committee’s re-establishment in 2020: the Customer and Constituent Services Study and the Efficiency and Collaboration Study between Parks and Recreation and the Public Library; and
WHEREAS, Community Advisor Stephanie Dilworth commended Dana’s “pragmatic approach that worked well for reviewing and determining which units to audit”; and
WHEREAS, Community Advisor James Farnsworth shared, “It has been a sincere honor and privilege to serve alongside Dana on the Saint Paul City Council Audit Committee. She was very effective in leveraging her professional expertise to ask the right questions to support our work on behalf of the city. Her kind spirit and perspective will be greatly missed”; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council extends its deepest gratitude and appreciation to Dana DeMaster for her exceptional service and unwavering dedication to the Audit Committee; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council hereby proclaims Wednesday, April 23, 2025, as “Dana DeMaster Day” in the City of Saint Paul.