Measure Z has done good things. But in its present form, without accountability, there’s nothing to stop a majority on a Board of Supervisors from turning it into a cookie jar.
In a report released last week, the Humboldt County grand jury weighed in on the transparency and accountability surrounding Measure Z, the county’s half-percent general sales tax.
Spoiler alert: Transparency and accountability are lacking. Among the grand jury’s findings:
• “The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury finds if Measure Z is not approved in the next funding cycle the results to the county could be catastrophic, particularly with respect to public safety.”
• “The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury finds that before the November 2014 vote on Measure Z, the public was told Measure Z would be subject to annual independent audits, but no such audits have taken place to date which compromises transparency and public trust.”
• “The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury finds the failure of the Board of Supervisors to perform independent audits of over $50M in Measure Z funds allocated to date contributes to a lack of transparency.”
As it stands, a majority of a Board of Supervisors can essentially spend Measure Z revenue on whatever it wishes. From the measure’s ballot language (emphasis added):
“To maintain/improve essential services, such as 24-hour sheriffs patrols; 9-1-1 emergency response; crime investigation/prosecution; drug/illegal marijuana growhouse enforcement/prevention; services for abused children/mentally ill; rural fire protection; road repairs; and other County services, shall County of Humboldt pursuant to County Ordinance No. 2517 enact a 1/2% sales tax, for five years, all revenue for the County, none for the State of California, with annual audits and public review?”
“Other county services”? That’s a loophole large enough to drive anything through. And without the audits voters were promised but have yet to see, it’s an invitation to abuse. Measure Z has undoubtably worked to improve public safety in Humboldt County. But lax restrictions on how taxpayers’ money is spent combined with a lack of accountability undermines the public’s trust in their government. It imperils support not only for the renewal of taxes funding critical services, but also future proposals seeking to solve our county’s myriad woes.
Current and future county supervisors ought to look upon this grand jury report — and the failure at the ballot of the proposed sales tax Measure U, which sought to raise nearly $10 million annually to help fix our bedraggled roads — as warning signs.
As the grand jury report notes, the Board of Supervisors already approved funding an independent audit of Measure Z spending last month. Better late than never, but voters need to see those numbers soon. More accountability and transparency are crucial to maintain public support of essential services. The alternative? Further catastrophe.
July 5, 2018
Eureka Times Standard
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