To encourage increasing levels of excellence among local government auditors, the Association of Local Government Auditors created the Knighton Award in 1995 to recognize the best performance audit reports produced by local government audit shops in the previous year. Judges from peer organizations determine the best reports each year.

In 2024, the Office of the City Auditor received the Exemplary Award for its 2023 Performance Audit of the City's Brush Management on City-Owned Land. The judges were unanimously impressed by this audit and stated that the audit topic is highly responsive to current risks that impact the health and well-being of the public. Additionally, the recommendations were specific and feasible, addressing meaningful gaps that could lead to disaster-level consequences. The award letter can be found here.

Past Awards:

• 2022 Knighton Award for the Performance Audit of SDPD's Use and Management of Body Cameras
• 2021 Knighton Award for the Performance Audit of the City’s Major Building Acquisition Process
• 2016 Knighton Award for the Performance Audit of the City’s Programs Responsible for Pedestrian Safety
• 2015 Knighton Award for the Performance Audit of the Code Enforcement Division
• 2014 Knighton Award for the ESD Recycling Audit: Opportunities Exist to Improve Recycling Rates & Reduce Adverse Impacts Generated by Waste Hauling
• 2013 Knighton Award for the Performance Audit of the Streets Division’s Pothole Repair Operations
• 2012 Knighton Award for the Performance Audit of the Fire-Rescue Department’s Emergency Medical Dispatch Process
• 2011 Knighton Award for the Performance Audit of Fire-Rescue’s Emergency Medical Services
• 2010 Knighton Award for the Performance Audit of Street Maintenance: City Needs to Improve Planning Coordination, and Oversight to Effectively Manage Transportation Assets

The Office of the City Auditor has also received:

• Association of Local Government Auditors' 2009 Website Award