The Morning Report
Get the news and information you need to take on the day.
When Mayor Jerry Sanders first stepped into office, the city of San Diego was unaware of the number of contracts it held. At a press conference today, Sanders said the city currently has 3,435 contracts. The mayor also announced the creation of a “streamlined” Purchasing and Contracting Department that will eliminate 17 departmental positions, and close warehouse facilities. The mayor said the changes will give the city $8,962,293 in savings.
The modifications are part of the mayor’s Business Process Re-Engineering Program designed to reorganize the city’s operations for efficiency and reduce costs. According to Sanders, the new Purchasing and Contracting Department will take responsibility for every contract and agreement and serve as a fiscal watchdog during transactions between contractors and vendors working with the city.
The mayor also announced an expanded Purchasing Card, or P-card, program, which he said reduces the steps in making purchase payments, cutting down paperwork and saving the city approximately $3 million. The mayor made his announcement at the San Diego Warehouse and Central Store, one of the two facilities remaining at the city. Under BPR, two out of four warehouses have already been closed creating what the mayor calls a “one-stop shop for supplies.”
At the press conference, the mayor also addressed the city’s current battle to keep the Mount Soledad Cross. City Attorney Mike Aguirre will file a petition next week to the United States Supreme Court to hear the city’s case, in hopes of overturning a federal judge’s ruling to remove the cross. Yesterday, an Appeals Court denied the city’s efforts to postpone the removal.
“I think the Memorial should remain in its current state,” Sanders said. “I think all of the elements of the Memorial – to include the cross – deserve the very best fight that we can put up.”
However, the mayor also said he is not willing to go against the original ruling if an agreement is not reached by the Aug. 1 removal deadline.
– MARNETTE FEDERIS