I did think there was a slight chance that the City Commission would see the light but the idea of funding an Internal Auditor went down in flames. As this was a workshop meeting, there was no vote but the only commissioner who wanted one and who has been listening to the people was Scott Maxwell.
There were so many "good" reasons for not funding this position: the expense of it, it is a luxury, level of need, not convinced, the money could be better spent somewhere more important, the last one we had was almost useless, most cities do not have an IA (Stanton said that one), can't afford it, if we have one it should be a full-time person who is invested in the city's success. The real argument and the one that was not stated was, "I don't want some silly person butting into my business."
I like the last argument the best. Any professional takes his job seriously and in fact, it would be best, in this case, not to be part of the city manager "network," the very reason why an IA reports to the Commission--to have everything on the table in an open and most transparent way. An Internal Auditor investigates suspected fraud, waste and abuse and he is objective and gives advice on financial matters and procedures. It is a backup for truth.
The Internal Auditor doesn't have to live here per the Charter and he doesn't have to be full-time. What is more important than scrutinizing our revenues and expenditures? We just burned through $12 MILLION DOLLARS for gosh sakes in the last few years. Poof! Ask one Commissioner where the money went. We spend like drunken sailors and there is no reason to have an internal auditor? I can guarantee you that if we put a vote to the people on whether this position should be eliminated from our Charter, it would be the highest vote recorded in the history of this city to keep it and what's more, we would tell you to fund it.
Last night the city manager said, when talking to the Commission, "We should have a discussion on changing our form of government to a strong mayor because it is perceived that the Mayor runs the city...at some point we should have that discussion." Why should we discuss anything so bizarre? You want another Lois Frankel in power? You can get rid of an elected official by the vote of all the electorate who bother to show up at the polls and you can terminate a city manager in a heartbeat by a majority vote of 5 people. It is quicker and easier to terminate a city manager before he/she does too much damage than allowing an elected official stay in power for two years--my argument against longer terms.
Stanton further stated that the citizens just don't trust city hall. A truer statement could not have been said--right about now, we don't trust anyone and want an internal auditor more than ever and not spending $60,000 to convert a softball field to a soccer field. In the realm of importance, commissioner, an IA is much more important to us.
The Charter says that the appointive officers shall be the city manager, city attorney, internal auditor, city clerk, police chief, fire chief, and such other officers as may be provided for by ordinance. Any of the above officers which are, or may become, under civil service shall be subject to civil service regulations. All of the appointive officers under the charter, except the city manager, city attorney, and internal auditor shall be appointed by the city manager and all appointive officers shall hold office subject to provisions of law.
It was mentioned last night that the Internal Auditor position is in the Charter and therefore we must have it. It is in the Charter, but as Elaine Humphrey's said at a previous meeting, the Commission did not have to fund it. (There is always a way around anything--take special assessments as an example). A Commissioner mentioned that the Police Chief and Fire Chief also had to live in our city and that certain changes to our Charter needed to occur. No they don't. They are moot and who knows if some day we might have our own police and fire departments once again, another dream of the CM.
So, what's up Doc? Our strong City Manager won once again. It took hours of discussion to get her desired result with a full staff to support her as well as our elected officials under the voodoo dust. "No independent anybody will be walking around the halls of city hall, not on my watch." And that's the way it is folks.
14 comments:
Maybe we should consider a recall election based on the commissions failure to comply with the requirements of our city Charter. This is serious.
John- I hate lengthy blogs as this one turned out to be. I have a tendency to speed read or skip over certain parts. What was said on it was that the position is IN the Charter but we do not have to fund it. They can circumvent the intent that is not spelled out at all. IMO. We want an IA. The CM does not. End of story.
Can Alan West help? Or the State? You need both an external auditor and a comptroller.
I wouldn't trust your former Mayor and representative with a task this large.
I hate to keep jumping in here but we HAVE an External Auditor. This company reports to the city manager who controls it all.
The ONLY reason that we even have one is that it is required by Florida law. The Finance Department gives them the data and they then make an opinion that the data is accurate in all material respects and are reported in a manner designed to present fairly all of the major funds, etc. They do NOT investigate anything.
The CM controls the result.
On Tuesday night Stanton stated, almost challenging the commission, "you can go ahead and slash and burn MY budget", one of her responses to Maxwell "I" can't cut 1.8 million from MY budget". Stanton is out of control with power due to the BCE's lack of any real life business experience. She intimidates and totally controls 3 of them so in effect she controls the commission. They are so afraid of taking responsibilty for any decisions, they defer EVERYTHING to Stanton, not realizing that before she came across the "PROGRESSIVES" that hired her she was unemployable. On Tuesday Mulvehill just sat on the dais and nodded her head yes to EVERYTHING Stanton said, not challenging her once. It's hard to believe that the BCE would not DEMAND to review the 2012 budget before making any decisions on taxes or assessments. Maxwell is the only one asking to see the numbers and Stanton basically told him to piss off. Maybe, just maybe if one of the others challenged Stanton once in a while instead of rolling over like little children smarter decisions for the city would be getting made.
Ed Fry himself said that if the commission voted no on the assessment the city would have to cut the $1.8 million from the budget and that there were areas it could have been cut from. Maybe 3 or 4 $500k projects that could wait until 2013. But Stantonhas total control so that ain't gonna happen. Maybe Mr. Fry didn't know that Stanton met privately with the commissioners and made their minds up for them prior to the meeting.
Metaphorically speaking of course Stanton is like the Col. Kurtz character in Apocalypse Now leading a group of mindless zombies, drunk with power and totally out of control.
Methaphorically speaking of course there's hope Captain Willard is running in the next election.
The Internal Auditor is in the City Charter and our "esteemed" City Attorney says there is no requirement to fund it. So let's apply that same logic to the City Attorney - it's in the Charter, but we don't have to fund it. Or the City Commission and Mayor - they are in the Charter, but we don't have to provide funds for them. If the Commission does not want to hire an Internal Auditor, then perhaps the citizens of LW should hire one who reports directly to us!
The residents of Lake Worth need to wake up and take control of the elected officials. They work for and should answer to us. The Commission needs to do its job of managing the City Manager. Learn how to say NO and stop all unnecessary spending. Institute a hiring freeze and get things in order before going off in new directions.
Commissioner Mulvehill suggested a number of ways to spend the money allocated in the proposed budget for the Internal Auditor. She even went so far as getting quotes for all her suggestions. Since this was a workshop, there was no public comment, but Molly from Molly's Trolley was there and discussed trolley services with the Commission for much more than 2 minutes. Will it ever end?
John, you are an attorney. Isn't it malfeasance for a City Attorney to advise her Commission that "yes, it is a Chartered Position, but you don't have to fund it"?
We have the IG, we can sue, we can petition. Recall won't work, the crazies run the asylum.
We may be able to force the issue by one of the above actions.
Problem is and has also been argued, even if we have an internal auditor, the commission can ignore him, like they did with our last one who uncovered lots of problems. Plausible deniability. If we don't know it's fraudulent and mis-management, then how can you hold us responsible?
I'm so mad I could spit.
What's next people?!?!
Thanks Lynn. THIS is not your BCE!
Anyone care to join in complaint to the Inspector General? Would it have merit?
I can only assume that the City Attorney has researched the law and that the commission can refuse to fund a position required by the Charter. We all know that this is wrong and the power of the people is in voting. A recall petition would also send a message to those not up for re-election this year that folks have had it. If no one does anything and Golden gets re-elected the people are saying they don't care. It is this very reason that we are now in the position we find ourselves. There are no checks and balances in our city government and this has resulted in a total lack of trust. In response to that lask of trust Stanton tells the commission not to hire an IA. Just what she wants.
John and Lynn thank you for helping with the reality of this and keeping the commentary fresh and informative.
I personally think this is nauseating to the point of wishing we could just dissolve the charter and go to county.
It is so clear that we are spending funds on CIP items that do not need to happen and not paying for things that NEED to happen. An IA is crucial and for this commission (except for Scott) does not think we need one they are blind.
The charter states they have to appoint one but a technicality is they do not have to fund......They are still obligated to appoint an IA regardless of funding....THAT is against the Charter!!! Start filing complaints and what is the process??
Please correct me if I'm wrong but could this be a possibility?
The bigger problem to this part of your blog:
Stanton further stated that the citizens just don't trust city hall. A truer statement could not have been said--right about now, we don't trust anyone and want an internal auditor more than ever and not spending $60,000 to convert a softball field to a soccer field. In the realm of importance, commissioner, an IA is much more important to us.
Do we trust the city manager? I am starting to doubt it, she will not listen to the people anymore than the commission does. We need to ax them all.
Maybe funding it ourselves is a blessing in disguise?
It puts control back in the people's hands, no?
What is the best way to lay an axe to the root of this Bull-onie?
Protests are visual
FUll page Ads in Newspapers
A Postcard Mailing to the community
Window Markers send a message on car window's
LW Businesses can put up info posters
Email them all at the same time on the same day for as long as it takes
Whatever we do - if we do it w/one voice we will win.
“It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds."-Samuel Adams
When did it become MY budget, and not the City budget?????????????????
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