Arrogance Over County Budget

* It has been 12 months since the now infamous “perks” scandal involving the Ventura County Board of Supervisors was exposed. During that time the supervisors have made many public statements referring to their integrity and honor as they have served the taxpayers of the county. In reality, they have done very little to effect change in their compensation package or that of other county employees. They should hang their collective heads in shame. The dishonor they have brought to the county has negative consequences on all residents.

We thought we had witnessed the height of arrogance when the county withheld the public access to the actual cost of the benefits and perks for two years, but we were wrong. The real height of arrogance, however, was revealed in the county’s response to the grand jury report. Ron Komers, director of personnel for the county, stated, “The grand jury has no right to intervene in county budgetary affairs.” He further stated, “The grand jury does not have to be consulted regarding all money matters of the county.”

We would agree that the grand jury is not appointed to micro-manage the county budget, but to say it has “no right’ to intervene is absurd. Komers is not only arrogant, but he is totally out of touch with the people who pay his salary. The grand jury is the public’s appointed watchdog of county affairs, including financial affairs. The taxpayers of the county have lost confidence in the ability of our Board of Supervisors to effectively manage the county’s affairs. They have forfeited their credibility.

JERE ROBINGS

President

Ventura County Alliance

of Taxpayers

Ventura