For months, two Democratic county supervisors have met behind the scenes to discuss ways the county can respond to the fiscal challenges it predicts ahead.
A Republican supervisor wants to change county rules to make those discussions public.
The sustainable fiscal planning subcommittee made up of board Chair Terra Lawson-Remer and Vice Chair Monica Montgomery Steppe hasn’t posted agendas or minutes from its meetings. Yet its proposals have resulted in multiple board items and bidding processes, including a controversial one that was abruptly cancelled early this year. Voice of San Diego in late January requested agendas and minutes for ad-hoc subcommittee meetings plus records on one of the bidding processes it triggered. The county has yet to supply agendas and minutes for any of the three ongoing ad-hoc subcommittees created in the past year.
Now Supervisor Joel Anderson is calling for a board vote later this month to standardize the county’s ad-hoc subcommittee rules and force some sunshine.
Anderson’s proposal calls for the county to post agendas and minutes for subcommittee meetings, record the meetings and conduct them in locations accessible to the public. He’s hoping the board will vote on the pitch at its March 24 meeting.
“San Diego County residents shouldn’t have to wonder where important policy ideas are being shaped,” Anderson wrote in a statement. “This proposal simply ensures that when government is doing the people’s work, the people can see it, follow it, and be part of the conversation from the very beginning and at every stage of the process.”
Anderson detailed that pitch in a new op-ed.
Related: Anderson and Supervisor Paloma Aguirre will hold their first Fiscal Transparency & Accountability Ad-Hoc Subcommittee meeting on Wednesday, March 18 at the County Administration Center. The subcommittee will focus on reviewing county contracts for savings and efficiency. The meeting will be public and Anderson’s office has created a website where San Diegans can find future meeting recordings and meeting information.
Nothing wrong with transparency. But will be interesting if rejected.
Supervisor Anderson has been largely inactive for most of his years on the Board of Supervisors. Maybe he’s finally speaking up because he is running for Tax Collector. Don’t be fooled.
That usually happens when operating in a minority. A shame the majority can’t balance a budget without more taxes.