Sunday, May 11, 2008 | Thanks to voiceofsandiego.org and David Washburn for your continued reporting on the important complexities of Proposition C.
As you have observed, the manner in which the city auditor will be appointed is key to the debate. In Mr. Washburn’s most recent post he includes a citation from the Association of Local Government Auditors (ALGA.) In their “model legislation” they declare that the auditor should only be appointed by a vote of the people or by the city council.
It is useful to remember the phrase, “consider the source.” In this case the source — ALGA — is composed of (drumroll)… auditors appointed by their councils/legislatures and elected auditors. Not much surprise what they conclude about the “right” way to do it.
Mr. Washburn also notes that the financial monitor imposed on the city by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Stanley Keller, has the opposite view. This nationally recognized audit expert concludes that Proposition C’s more balanced approach — appointment by the mayor and confirmation by the Council — is smarter. And, again, consider the source: Mr. Keller is totally independent, has no axe to grind, and has only one job: helping San Diego get it right this time.