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Watsonville Not Mismanaging Money, Says City

In a press release, the city responded to the SC Grand Jury's report that it's not handling its money property.

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. 

Your master says January 11, 2013 at 10:21 pm
Everything's ok, nothing to see here.....move along....move along....
Doc January 12, 2013 at 12:27 am
I hear Lowell Hurst and other city officials have been putting in long hours to prepare the dog and pony show they plan to use to sidestep the issues once again. I wonder if Luis Alejo will make a personal appearance, or just deck the halls with his spirit. If not, I'm sure wifey will be there to watch out for the special interests.
Cathy P. January 12, 2013 at 01:37 pm
“We’re actually in medium financial stability,” said Hurst..."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.
Beverly Young January 12, 2013 at 02:06 pm
I am more likely to believe the grand jury findings than the city officials trying to bluster their way out of this mess
Cathy P. January 12, 2013 at 03:13 pm
"...in an interview, an anonymous senior city staff member referred to Watsonville’s policies and procedures by saying, “there’s very few policies and procedures from a day-to-day operations standpoint in the whole city — for anything.”
http://montereybayareanews.com/20133143/
randy January 12, 2013 at 05:09 pm
What happened between 2009 and now that brought watsonville to "no problems"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTWIwKtC1fY OUR CITY IS IN CRISIS per Rivas...
randy January 12, 2013 at 05:11 pm
How many grand jury reports then the court ordered audit... Hummm how dare the clowncil say everything is fine.
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?
Steve Bankhead January 12, 2013 at 06:12 pm
I'll be surprised if Mayor Hurst and City Manager Palacios don't develop carpal tunnel syndrome from all the finger pointing. Oh well, at least they didn't try to blame it all on Bush.
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.
randy January 12, 2013 at 10:11 pm
@ Rachel Stern... question. Your "title" says "Watsonville Not Mismanaging Money, Says City ". WHO is the CITY? Lowell and Carlos.. Alejo.. Dodge??? WHO. The whole city isn't saying that. So please clarify
Cathy P. January 13, 2013 at 04:54 pm
A link was given in this article to the Harvey M. Rose & Associates website. I clicked through it and read about them, their projects and clients. If anyone is interested in just exactly what they do, I highly encourage you to do a little homework. I find it very hard to swallow that this consulting group "mischaracterized the city’s practices..."
randy January 13, 2013 at 09:35 pm
Wonder how much of a LEGAL issue this might be.
HizDesign January 14, 2013 at 01:42 am
I read the same article Cathy, and couldn't agree with you more. Just more side-stepping by our (sad-to-say) own city 'council'.
Keyzer Soze January 14, 2013 at 03:03 pm
"Furthermore, said Hurst, the auditing agency compared Watsonville to wealthier medium size cities like Cathedral or Hanford -- not accurately putting the city in context"........................
Both of their city managers are paid less then Carlos Palacios!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pro Frink January 14, 2013 at 05:41 pm
The article states that the city can not afford to upgrade their accounting software. Odd in that several seeming low level aids drive city cars and burn city gas for personal use.
Pro Frink January 14, 2013 at 05:43 pm
You must sometimes wonder who's side the patch is on.
randy January 14, 2013 at 05:54 pm
If I recall not long ago Mr. CP stated they had new software and it was working well. I could be mistaken.
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
Otto the bus driven man January 14, 2013 at 06:09 pm
Like dude, they had to spend over $4k for party food in December alone...that stuff, like, adds up.
randy January 14, 2013 at 10:02 pm
@Pro... don't have to wonder here. One of the writers JACOB closed comments on another story when it got to hot for Alejo. This post will probably disappear also LOL

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