Officials’ Costly Actions Set Bad Example : Special Care Should Be Taken With Public Funds During Tough Economic Times

Elected public officials have a special responsibility to set an example when spending public money. During tough economic times, that responsibility is even greater. In separate incidents recently, officials for an Orange County community college district and two water agencies provided poor role models for how public funds should be used. Their conduct offers a special lesson as we come to a close on a year that has been economically jarring for government at every level.

In one instance, several current and former Rancho Santiago College District trustees who were conducting interviews for four finalists for the post of chancellor met over dinner at Antonellos, a posh Italian restaurant in Santa Ana.

Included on bills totaling $2,545 were tabs that amounted to more than $400, apparently for liquor. It is mystifying why the interviews had to be conducted in a restaurant that pricey, and doubly mystifying why taxpayers were expected to pay for alcohol ordered by participants.

As a result of criticism over these meals, the Board of Trustees is expected in January to adopt a policy that would prohibit the consumption of alcohol at any official meeting where the business of the district is being conducted. The policy also would prohibit the expenditure of public funds for alcohol “at any meeting of the board for any reason.” That’s a good policy that ought to be in place for all public agencies.

In the other instance, three outgoing directors of two Dana Point water districts attended a conference in Monterey at the public’s expense, costing taxpayers an estimated $4,000 in hotel, travel, meal and registration expenses. Attending the conference made some sense for Mark Sloate, a member of the Capistrano Beach County Water District who will remain active in water issues. He will join the Tri-Cities Municipal Water District board in January and also is vice president of the Independent Special Districts of California.

But Capistrano Beach’s Sam Lentine seemed to view the conference as a reward for his years of service. While his work for the agency certainly is appreciated, the lame-duck Lentine was wrong to attend a conference that is intended to educate district directors on how to better fulfill their duties in the future.

Tri-Cities’ John P. Serences said he attended the conference to share his knowledge. That’s well and good, but he would have been better to pass.

These are trying times for government, and public servants must be more vigilant than ever in spending public money.