Council Calls for New Spending Rules for DWP

The Los Angeles City Council unanimously requested Tuesday that Department of Water and Power commissioners adopt proposed revised spending guidelines.

The new rules were prompted by City Controller Laura Chick, who refused to authorize payment of more than $600,000 in DWP bills earlier this year, arguing that the agency wastes public money on lavish parties, community events and staff perks. Among the bills Chick took issue with was $100,000 for a black-tie dinner celebrating the reopening of City Hall. The bills were later paid.

The new guidelines require that the recipient of community outreach money be a nonprofit agency, and forbid contributions to individuals, political campaigns and parties, and groups that discriminate or support religious activities. The rules also require spending to be related to the department’s core mission, and set up new spending procedures.