Improving the accountability & transparency of city government
In the April 23, 2018, issue of the Register-Guard, Eugene resident Richard Young writes in a letter:
Let’s sort this out. First, the claim that Eugene Measure 20-283 is people power. So was the election of President Trump. Sometimes people don’t know who they are giving power to. …
In the April 23, 2018, issue of the Register-Guard, Eugene resident Wendy J. Cook writes in a letter:
On whether we should elect or appoint a Eugene city auditor, I ask myself: Can either type eliminate enough government waste to handily exceed their six-figure salary plus benefits (including pension) without sacrificing valuable services? Can either type accomplish this feat year after year — not just the first few years when there’s low-hanging fruit to be found and voters are keeping a closer eye on the outcomes?
If they can no longer sustain sufficient value-added input, will either type judiciously recommend that their own position be reduced or eliminated to save on unnecessary cost? Because I believe the answer is “no,” that’s how I intend to vote on both city auditor measures.
In the April 18, 2018, issue of the Register-Guard, Eugene resident Bob Cassidy writes in a letter:
The president of the League of Woman Voters claims in an April 14 letter that the city of Eugene already has an auditor. And that’s true, but that’s a financial auditor. And it’s required of a city to have one. The numbers balance, and money is spent legally. …
In the April 17, 2018, issue of the Register-Guard, Eugene resident Laura Stasack writes in a letter:
There’s an old quote about two types of people: Those who do the work, and those happy to let them. Anyone who’s ever done a group project knows the dynamic. …
In the April 15, 2018, issue of the Register-Guard, Eugene resident Judith Schoap writes in a letter:
There is a scary rumor going around that under Ballot Measure 20-283 (for an elected Eugene city auditor) the auditor’s office will have the power to reach out and audit anybody’s business. In reality, the auditor is guaranteed the ability to audit only contracts and agreements for goods or services “purchased in whole or in part with public funds.” If you accept public money, that exchange can be audited. Contracts with the city will include a “right to audit” clause. Why would that be frightening?
In the April 14, 2018, issue of the Register-Guard, Eugene resident and League of Women Voters of Lane County president Linda Lynch writes in a letter:
The city of Eugene already has an auditor. The detailed wording of Measure 20-283 may lead voters to think that the requirements and duties assigned to the proposed elected auditor do not now happen. Eugene has an independent financial audit every year, as required by state law. For 41 consecutive years Eugene’s Comprehensive Annual Report (CAFR) has been awarded a certificate of achievement for excellence in financial reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada. …
In the April 14, 2018, issue of the Register-Guard, Eugene resident Krista Rojas writes in a letter:
The R-G editorial got it half right (“Auditor measures: No on both,” April 8). The city’s counter-measure, 20-287 for a council-appointed auditor, was offered in bad faith and undercuts the democratic process. Moreover, The R-G recognized that even if it were the only measure on the ballot, it would not have the independence to do the job and would merely provide a false sense of security. …
In the April 14, 2018, issue of the Register-Guard, Eugene resident (and former City Councilor) Paul Nicholson writes in a letter:
The Eugene City Council placed a competing city auditor ballot measure, hoping to split the vote so that both measures fail. In that event the council would appoint a lapdog auditor as an additional barrier to any real accountability for Eugene city government. But that would not be the worst consequence. …
In the April 14, 2018, issue of the Register-Guard, Eugene resident John Barofsky writes in letter:
The proposed elected city of Eugene auditor received a $4,900 raise recently, thanks to the Eugene Water & Electric Board voting to give its general manager a raise. The language in the proposed charter amendment, Measure 20-283, sets the auditor’s salary at 70 percent of the average of Salem and Eugene’s city manager and EWEB’s general manager.
Since the proposed charter amendment was presented for a vote, the salary has gone from $152,000 to $169,000. …
In the April 14, 2018, issue of the Register-Guard, reporter Christian Hill writes:
With a month remaining until the election, backers of the dueling city auditor measures faced off publicly for the first time Friday, disagreeing about every major part of the opposing measures as they attempted to sway voters to their side. …