Tuttle Presents Ways to Rein in Bond Spending

After a report that found serious mismanagement of bond proceeds used to build the North Hollywood police station, among other projects, Los Angeles City Controller Rick Tuttle on Monday unveiled recommendations to rein in spending of future bond proceeds.

Among other recommendations, Tuttle suggested a five-year limit for completing bond-financed projects, arguing that smaller, shorter-term bond proposals would show voters quicker results.

Additionally, he recommended that ballots specify as much as possible how bond proceeds will be used, leaving little leeway for unforeseen expenditures.

“I’ve been a critic of a series of broken promises to voters when it comes to embarking on these programs,” Tuttle told a blue-ribbon panel convened by Mayor Richard Riordan and City Council President John Ferraro. “It’s not a good record.”

Tuttle also endorsed the idea of bond oversight committees.

The panel, led by William E.B. Siart, responded favorably to the recommendations, and its members said they would consider them at a later date.

Earlier this month, Tuttle issued a report in which he alleged that projects included in 1989’s Proposition 2, a $176-million bond measure, were more costly than necessary because of delays and flaws in changes in design.