Improving the accountability & transparency of city government
On July 10, 2018, in the Eugene Weekly blogs, reporter Meerah Powell writes:
Although both the elected and appointed auditor measures were rejected by Eugene residents in the May election, discussion for another potential measure was brewing at the Eugene City Council — though as of now, it won’t be on this upcoming November’s ballot. …
In the July 10, 2018, issue of the Register-Guard, reporter Christian Hill writes:
There will be no second chance for an elected city auditor, at least not this year.
Eugene city councilors declined Monday night to consider referring to the November ballot a revised version of the measure that voters rejected in May. Voters had also turned down a measure to bring aboard a council-appointed auditor during the same election.
The vote was 6-2, with only councilors Betty Taylor and Emily Semple voting for the referral. …
In the July 8, 2018, issue of the Register-Guard, reporter Christian Hill writes:
The debate over a Eugene city auditor isn’t finished.
Less than two months after voters rejected bringing aboard a watchdog, either council-appointed or elected, a Eugene city councilor is resurrecting the idea.
Councilor Betty Taylor said she will ask city councilors Monday to refer to the November ballot a revised version of the elected auditor measure that a local group had qualified for the May ballot as a citizen initiative. …
In the May 17, 2018, issue of the Eugene Weekly, reporter Henry Houston writes:
… Eugene Mayor Lucy Vinis told EW she’s happy to hear that the two parks bonds passed. However, she said, the people of Eugene have said they’re not ready for the large step of an elected or appointed auditor.
Fifty-three percent of ballots voted “No” on Measure 20-283, which would establish an elected auditor. However, 75 percent of voters rejected Measure 20-287, which would have the city of Eugene appoint an auditor. …
In the May 16, 2018, issue of the Register-Guard, reporter Christian Hill writes:
Eugene’s city government isn’t getting a watchdog, either appointed or elected.
City voters rejected two city auditor measures Tuesday, ending a debate that has dominated local politics for months. …
On May 16, 2018, KVAL reported:
Voters in Eugene defeated competing measures that would have established the position of city auditor.
…
In the May 15, 2018, issue of the Register-Guard, Rachael McDonald of KLCC reported::
Eugene voters Tuesday rejected both city auditor proposals on the primary ballot. …
In the May 15, 2018, issue of the Register-Guard, reporter Elon Glucklich writes:
… Dueling city auditor measures are likely generating the most buzz in Eugene political circles. Ballots ask voters to vote yes or no on two separate proposals: Measure 20-283, a citizen-initiated proposal to establish an elected city auditor, and Measure 20-287, a City Council-referred proposal for a council-appointed auditor, as well as a citizen review board to oversee the auditor’s work.
The measures are first time in Eugene that a citizen-initiated and council-referred proposals covering the same issue has appeared on the same ballot. Proponents of the citizen initiative say an auditor should be completely independent of the City Council and city manager, while supporters of the council-backed measure say an independent auditor would be too costly and lack accountability.
If both auditor measures receive more than 50 percent of the vote, the measure with the higher vote total will take effect. …
In the May 13, 2018, issue of the Register-Guard, reporter Christian Hill writes:
Eugene has never had an election like this.
The dueling city auditor measures mark the first time in city history that both citizen-initiated and council-referred proposals on the same issue appear on the same ballot.
Both measures would change the city charter, the document that defines Eugene city government’s power and functions. Measure 20-283, the citizen-initiated proposal, establishes the office of an elected city auditor. The other proposal, Measure 20-287, requires the City Council to appoint both a city auditor and a citizen board to oversee his or her work.
Here’s some questions last-minute voters may have as they mark their ballots. …
On May 9, 2018, Rachael McDonald of KLCC reported:
Eugene voters are considering two competing performance auditor proposals on the May 15th ballot. Measure 20-283 would establish an elected auditor. Measure 20-287 is for an auditor who’s appointed by the City Council. …