Minneapolis' dormant auditing department is getting a new leader from the private sector, about 10 months after the city's previous auditor departed.

Council Member Linea Palmisano plans to formally nominate Will Tetsell, manager of health care assurance at Target, to lead the three-person department next Monday. Before joining Target in 2011, Tetsell worked as an auditor at Gap, Inc., California AAA and Deloitte & Touche.

"He brings an impressive set of private sector credentials to bear," said Palmisano, chair of the city's newly reorganized audit committee. "But I think he just stands out as being incredibly enthusiastic and engaging and able to fit in well to the kind of audit department I've been working to create all year."

Palmisano said she wants the auditing department to be seen as a consultant for other departments in the city, rather than a punitive force.

The city's auditing function has waned in recent years. The previous auditor, Magdy Mossaad, was the department's lone employee when he departed in January.

Tetsell must be approved by the city's audit committee before taking the role. Once he assumes the role, he will oversee the hiring of two additional employees. St. Paul, by comparison, does not have dedicated auditors, but Hennepin County employs 13.

Palmisano said the primary auditing this year -- done out of the finance office -- has focused on the city's strategic partnerships, such as the Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership.

Tetsell could not be reached for comment Thursday afternoon.