Mailbag: Surf City residents should pay close attention to City Council’s actions

Citizens of Huntington Beach should be concerned about a couple of issues that were brought up at the City Council meeting of Feb. 3.

First, City Atty. Michael Vigliotta announced that the city’s Voter ID lawsuits are headed to the U.S. Supreme Court — despite no evidence of systemic voter fraud. Orange County’s voting system is widely regarded as a model for other jurisdictions. Yet the douncil continues to spend taxpayer funds pursuing this costly and questionable litigation, while casting doubt on the same election system under which they were elected. The U.S. Constitution makes clear that election procedures are the responsibility of each state. Nevertheless, residents should pay close attention if the Supreme Court agrees to hear the case.

Second, the 2024–25 year-end audit was placed on the consent calendar without a public presentation from the accounting firm that prepared it. The annual audit is a key indicator of the city’s fiscal health and deserves public discussion. The City Council should agendize a study session on the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report to ensure transparency and accountability.

Patricia Goodman
Huntington Beach