Good morning from City Hall. Had a couple meetings early this morning so I’m sitting in City Council chambers doing the daily roundup.
- We’ll lead off today with news that San Diego City Attorney Jan Goldsmith is questioning if city employees should contribute more to the city’s gaping pension deficit to cover the fund’s investment losses. When Goldsmith delivered his opinion at yesterday’s council meeting, the retirement system’s attorney wasn’t swayed.
- Also at yesterday’s council meeting, the guy hired to monitor the city in the wake of its SEC problems said the city had made significant progress in its financial disclosure practices. We wrote about the monitor’s report last week.
- On the council’s agenda today (actually right now!) is a discussion on the refinancing of the debt on city-owned Qualcomm Stadium. City officials argue the bond refinancing will save the city $12 million over the bond’s remaining term. The deal is part of a massive $185 million refunding effort, but is complicated.
- A city audit has found the city did not collect between $6.4 million and $29.7 million of the property taxes it could have been over the last three years. The audit evaluates all major sources of city revenue and is a key part of a task force that could make a case for new taxes or fees in the next few months.
- I’m a sucker for stories about long-time city employees that are retiring. Here’s a profile in the North County Times about Escondido’s retiring planning chief.
— LIAM DILLON