Improving the accountability & transparency of city government
In the July 20, 2017, issue of the Eugene Weekly, reporter Ted Taylor writes:
Volunteers are “well on our way” to collecting 10,000 signatures to put an Office of Independent City Auditor on the Eugene ballot next May, according to David Monk, one of the chief petitioners along with Bonny McCornack and George Brown. …
In the July 6, 2017, issue of the Eugene Weekly, reporter Ted Taylor writes:
Voters will see more precise and inclusive language in the initiative petition, Voters Pamphlet and ballot measure to create an Office of Independent City Auditor for Eugene, thanks to a July 3 court decision. …
In the July 5, 2017, issue of the Register-Guard, reporter Christian Hill writes:
Eugene Mayor Lucy Vinis wants to open talks about bringing aboard a city performance auditor. …
In the June 22, 2017, issue of the Eugene Weekly, staff write:
An initiative petition has been submitted to the city of Eugene that would amend the City Charter to establish an office of an independent elected city auditor. Volunteers are needed to gather signatures to place the measure on the May 2018 ballot. The petitioners say, “This is an opportunity for area residents to help reform our city government.” A training for volunteer signature gatherers is scheduled for 5 pm, June 28, at the AFSCME offices at 688 Charnelton in downtown Eugene. This all-volunteer effort is open to all those interested in helping in whatever way they can. For more information or to contact the chief petitioners go to CityAccountability.org or call 541-520-9572.
In the May 25, 2017, issue of the Eugene Weekly, reporter Ted Taylor writes:
Eugene residents who are seeking a ballot initiative to create an independent performance auditor for the city filed a petition with the Circuit Court May 17. They say the city’s proposed ballot language is “biased” and “fails to sufficiently, concisely or fairly describe the initiative.” …
In the May 16, 2017, issue of the Register-Guard, reporter Christian Hill writes:
The idea of creating a taxpayer-funded independent auditor’s office to monitor Eugene city government is making waves before it has even made it to the ballot. …
The May 16, 2017, issue of the Register-Guard provides this summary:
Salary: At least $163,544 a year, plus benefits
Term: Four years, elected by citizenry
Budget: About $623,000
In the April 7, 2017, issue of the Register-Guard, reporter Christian Hill writes:
Three Eugene residents, including two former city councilors, are seeking to qualify for a future ballot a measure that would create an independently elected city auditor as a check on city government spending and operations. …
In the March 30, 2017, issue of the Eugene Weekly, reporter Henry Houston writes:
A large calendar sits on Bonny McCornack’s dinner table. She looks at it, expecting a long process ahead for submitting a ballot measure to the city of Eugene. McCornack says she’s not sure whether the ballot title — to be written by the city attorney — will need to be appealed, which could hold off this measure’s appearance on a ballot or even force it to appear on a low-voter-turnout election. …
In the December 22, 2016, issue of the Eugene Weekly, reporter Ben Ricker writes:
… “We need to restore the sense that the city is being responsible with tax dollars,” [Eugene Mayor Lucy] Vinis says. …