The province has taken another major step in the establishment of a municipal auditor general to keep an eye on how cities spend taxpayer dollars.

Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Ida Chong announced Wednesday five British Columbians were named to the Audit Council to oversee the Auditor General for Local Government, ensuring the independence of the office.

Anthony Ariganello, J. Richard Heney, Donalda MacDonald, Lisa Payne and Timothy J. Wood were all appointed to the council, with a mix of backgrounds in accounting, law, finance, business and local government.

The council's first task will be to recommend who should be appointed AGLG.