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Santa Clara Valley Water District accused of being awash in cash while county and cities drown in red ink

Posted by: Maven on June 18, 2009 at 7:10 am

From the Silicon Valley Mercury News:

In a highly critical report Wednesday accusing the Santa Clara Valley Water District of overspending and poor financial management, a civil grand jury found that the agency lacks oversight, transparency and accountability.

“Given the pervasive nature of the lax attitude toward any kind of fiscal control, it will take much more time and leadership from the board of directors to make the needed impact on capital and operational spending,” the report states.

The Santa Clara County civil grand jury report titled “Santa Clara Valley Water District Awash in Cash as County and Cities Drown in Red Ink,” noted that previous audits, statewide reports and grand jury investigations pointed to “spending and ethics abuses by the district over many years.” The report further stated, “the district has been questioned on its spending for years and has made little to no effort to become cost effective.”

As a result, the grand jury called for more openness, an independent review committee to oversee the board, a 15-year-master plan on future spending and term limits for the board of directors. Earlier this spring, directors voted to place a term-limit measure on the November 2010 ballot.

“We accept the report in the spirit it’s provided, but it’s not unusual for a civil grand jury to look for more negatives,” said Sig Sanchez, chairman of the water board. “There are some areas where if they had gone into more depth, the recommendations may have been a little different.” He hopes to have a formal response in one month.

Read more from the Silicon Valley News by clicking here.

June 18, 2009 · Filed Under Bay Area, Water Agency News

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