Blog note: this opinion piece references a grand jury report.
Most Orange County residents are probably unaware of the office of auditor-controller, a fairly obscure department responsible for calculating property taxes, auditing government spending and paying county employees and vendors. But anyone who looks at the department’s website will quickly understand the significance of the agency.
Its website prominently features a logo with bulldog and these words: “Taxpayer Watchdog.” He gave out awards to officials who stood up for transparency and protected taxpayers. Those were the proud creations of Auditor-Controller Eric Woolery, who died unexpectedly at age 53 earlier this month. They symbolized his public-oriented approach to the job.
Under his leadership, the auditor-controller provided “citizens reports” that explained the key aspects of the county’s budget – unfunded pension liabilities, property tax revenues, demographic data, insight into the administration of selected agencies – in layman’s terms. The reports encapsulated Woolery’s belief that government should be accessible and understandable to the public.
However, Woolery did far more than produce useful reports. He was willing to tussle with the county’s political leadership when necessary.
After first winning office in 2015, he wrested control of the county’s internal audit function from the Board of Supervisors – a vestige of the 1994 bankruptcy. Orange County was the only county in the state to have such an arrangement. It soon became obvious why that oversight function needs to rest with an independent overseer.
After Woolery questioned the board’s taxpayer-funded mailers that he believed to be inappropriate and one former supervisor’s pension payment, the board moved to strip the agency of some of its audit powers and slice $1 million from its budget. The Orange County Grand Jury produced a report that was favorable to Woolery’s position. It captured the essence of the problem: “Fresh perspectives bring opportunity to question the status quo but can be uncomfortable.”
Indeed, he was willing to make elected officials uncomfortable as he stood up for the county’s taxpayers. He will be missed. We hope voters recognize the value of the department – and eventually elect a replacement who will continue down the path that Woolery has taken.
August 21, 2019
Orange County Register
The Editorial Board
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