Improving the accountability & transparency of city government
In the December 28, 2017, issue of the Eugene Weekly, Eugene resident Ben Torres writes in a letter:
If Eugene voters are looking to eliminate waste in city government, they should start by slashing the bloated salary of the proposed city auditor. According to the ballot description, the “Auditor [would be] paid at least 70 percent of averaged salaries of Eugene and Salem City Managers and EWEB General Manger (approximately $153,000 in 2017), plus same benefit package as Eugene City Manager.” …
On December 18, 2017, Eugene Mayor Lucy Vinis blogs:
Our final week of council meetings for 2017 was packed with important conversations and decisions. On Monday, the 11th, Council reviewed their commitment to implementing an auditor function in principle, and specifically their concerns about the auditor initiative that is on the May ballot. Of the seven councilors present, six stated their support for the creation of an auditor role. As for the initiative, there are concerns about the cost, the lack of a residency requirement, a run-off provision, or citizen oversight for this role. They made no decision to act on those concerns and I have left it to them to determine if they would like a follow-up discussion. The discussion is critical – both for council and for the public — to scrutinize and understand the choice before us. The initiative proponents have described our discussions as “interference.” To the contrary, it is the job of elected leaders to discuss policy in public meetings. The proposal to create a third branch of government with funds that are not subject to review by the citizen budget committee has long term consequences. Responsible decision-making is based in deliberative, thoughtful discussion, and I will continue to lead that conversation, whether or not council brings it back to a work session. …
In the December 18, 2017, issue of the Register-Guard, the editorial board writes:
The disclosure last week that a proposed Eugene city auditor would have much broader powers than previously spelled out was both startling and a little unnerving. …
In the December 16, 2017, issue of the Register-Guard, Eugene resident Robin Bloomgarden writes in a letter:
I agree with Anna Pena that more accountability for the proposed Eugene elected auditor might be useful, primarily a citizen review/advisory board or panel (“Why oppose more accountability?” Dec. 11). …
In the December 15, 2017, issue of the Register-Guard, reporter Christian Hill writes:
Two Eugene city councilors want to hear City Manager Jon Ruiz’s response to how city staff missed a legally required deadline after a ballot measure proposing the establishment of an elected city auditor qualified for the May deadline.
The measure’s backer, City Accountability, has criticized the city’s misstep. …
In the December 14, 2017, issue of the Register-Guard, reporter Christian Hill writes:
The proposed Eugene city auditor’s office would have sweeping authority to examine not only the operations and spending of the city’s municipal government, but also the Eugene Water & Electric Board, the Lane Transit District and even private garbage haulers, according to a lead advocate of the measure. …
In the December 13, 2017, issue of the Register-Guard, Eugene resident Robin Bloomgarden writes in a letter:
Some members of the City Council worry that Eugene’s elected independent auditor will be the highest-paid “elected” official in Oregon. So what? Top-notch candidates need a competitive salary—otherwise you lose them—and that’s why Eugene pays department heads and managers lots more than any elected official. We want the best qualified candidates to apply, right? Most elected officials don’t even need a high school diploma to run, but the elected auditor will have to meet tough professional qualifications in order to file as a candidate. …
In the December 12, 2017, issue of the Register-Guard, Portland resident and former auditor for Multnomah County and Portland Gary Blackmer writes in a letter:
I was an auditor for Multnomah County and Portland for 23 years before I became director of state audits. While with the Association of Local Government Auditors, I advised governments on starting an audit office. …
In the December 12, 2017, issue of the Register-Guard, reporter Christian Hill writes:
Eugene’s elected leaders steered clear Monday of taking a stance on the May ballot measure to create an office of an elected independent city auditor—at least at this time. …
In the December 11, 2017, issue of the Register-Guard, Eugene resident David Funk writes in a letter:
The initiative petition submitted by a group called City Accountability deserves close scrutiny. While I agree that an auditor role is not a bad idea, this proposal is seriously flawed. …