Another familiar face is now on the payroll in Tyrone.

Mallett Consulting was unanimously picked as the town’s engineer Thursday night after town manager Chris Venice gave a glowing report of her working relationship with the company when she worked for Fayette County. Mallet has worked with Fayette County for years and did work on the new courthouse, Lake McIntosh and numerous road projects.

Former Councilman Mike Smola wondered in the public comment portion if such a large contract shouldn’t go out for competitive bidding. Venice explained it was a professional services contract, and did not require competitive bidding, but she had evaluated another company before recommending Mallett.

Smola also wondered why the town was giving Venice a two-year contract that included severance pay when former town manager Barry Amos was an at-will employee.

Resident Kevin Edwards also wondered why the town went through the process of appointing several positions at the first meeting. He said he was told it was in the charter, but could only find reference to appointing the town’s judge and attorney.

“It concerns me that the police chief can be reappointed,” he said.

In other news, the town agreed to pay up to $5,000 for Post and Associates to conduct an audit of some of the town’s funds for the last four years.

Councilman Eric Dial wondered what information this audit would show that wasn’t available in the yearly audits the town already receives.

Attorney Bill McNally said he was just providing a quote based on the Town Council’s request and said the Council “wanted additional cover.”

But Smola wasn’t buying that answer and responded in public comment.

“This audit is based on the hatred of the former town manager. You owe the taxpayers an explanation,” he said.

The council agreed to conduct the audit on a 3-1 vote with Dial opposing it.