On Thursday, the Santa Cruz County Grand Jury released a report that Watsonville is mismanaging its money, pointing out that it’s in bad shape compared to other similar size cities.
Yet the City of Watsonville itself doesn’t entirely agree, pointing out in a press release Thursday that San Francisco-based Harvey M. Rose and Associates auditing firm mischaracterized the city’s practices and underestimated its strength for the resources it does have available.
Watsonville currently does not have the money to update its accounting software or hire more staffers, said Mayor Lowell Hurst.
“We’re trying to do the best we can with what we’ve got,” said Hurst told Watsonville Patch.
Harvey M. Rose made the mistake of comparing the city’s original budget the the final budget amounts, pointed out City Manager Carlos Palacios. The City General Fund has actually been under budget for three years, he said.
Furthermore, said Hurst, the auditing agency compared Watsonville to wealthier medium size cities like Cathedral or Hanford -- not accurately putting the city in context.
“We’re actually in medium financial stability,” said Hurst, pointing out that Watsonville made an effort not to cut city financial services or compromise public safety. “We’re trying to get by and be stewards in the community.”
The City of Watsonville will be hosting a public session to discuss the report on January 22 at 4:30 p.m. at City Hall. Harvey M. Rose and the Santa Cruz Grand Jury will be present.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lying, along with a capacity for backbiting, obfuscation, and double-dealing, are, in fact, actual job qualifications for city council candidates. This just in: Water is wet.
http://montereybayareanews.com/20133143/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTWIwKtC1fY OUR CITY IS IN CRISIS per Rivas...
The tip of the iceberg.... me thinks. GOOOOOOOOOOO Martinez, and all others that have brought this to light. Don't stop now. HAHAHA. How is the firetruck doing?
As for the complaint the Grand Jury didn't compare Watsonville to cities with more similar financial circumstances, where would they be...the sub-Sahara or Central America? Of course the city is very quick to compare itself to Santa Clara or other larger, more affluent cities when justifying pay scales.
Both of their city managers are paid less then Carlos Palacios!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If the city can afford to pay the outrageous salaries they do to the top people, then they can afford to hire someone to update the software. And PRO.. yes you are right. I had a list of all that was given these perks. But look at Little Caesar Alejo. He picked the most expensive vehicle when he was elected ASSemblyman