Eating at the Public Trough
Every now and then an examination of the city’s warrants reveals interesting information. Last summer for instance, an examination of ...
https://www.elkgrovenews.net/2010/03/eating-at-public-trough.html
Every now and then an examination of the city’s warrants reveals interesting information.
Last summer for instance, an examination of the city’s warrants revealed that Mayor Sophia Scherman was receiving payment for mileage from both the city of Elk Grove and the various boards she served on. It was also discovered the city was paying to have a courier deliver agenda materials to her.
You could say Scherman was double dipping the system.
A more recent review of the warrants issued and approved at last weeks city council didn’t reveal anything as lurid as Scherman’s appetite for double-dipping the public trough for mileage expenses, but there were some tasty morsels.
Taken as a whole they are quite tasty.
During February, the City of Elk Grove approved the following payments.
- 2/5 Baja Burrito - $75
- 2/5 Pho Lotus - 100
- 2/18 Employee Dinner - 31.38
- 2/12 Tudo Un Poco - 6,612.43
The following are listed as “U.S. Bank Corp Payment System”
- 1/6 Red Robin - $63.05
- 1/6 Chik-Fil-A - 194.50
- 1/6 Panera Bread - 63.28
- 1/7 Panera Bread - 36.73
- 1/7 Macaroni Grill - 45
- 1/14 Baskins/Togo - 65.88
- 1/14 Macaroni Grill - 46
- 1/15 The Cookie Jar - 39.60
- 1/21 Macaroni Grill - 42
- 1/18 Panera Bread - 32.97
- 1/21 BoulevardBistro - 80
- 1/22 Beverages & Mo - 60.80
- 1/22 Macaroni Grill - 178.32
- 1/22 Panera Bread - 28.62
- 1/20 The Cookie Jar - 19.80
- 1/7 Paesano’s EG - 38.55
The total cost of the above expenditures was $7,853 with the bulk coming from the Tudo Un Poco expenditure. The remaining $1,241.48 was spent at a variety of purveyors ranging from the Boulevard Bistro to the Cookie Jar.
Granted, in relation to the entire city budget, these expenditures are a mere drop in the bucket. Still to paraphrase Everett Dirksen, a thousand here, a thousand there and pretty soon you’re talking real money.
Undoubtedly these expenditures were legal and legitimate otherwise they would not have been approved. Right?
Nonetheless, as many people in Elk Grove struggle with basics such as the putting food on the table, the extra $7,853 could have greatly enhanced the $10,000 grant for the Elk Grove Food Bank.
Nonetheless, as many people in Elk Grove struggle with basics such as the putting food on the table, the extra $7,853 could have greatly enhanced the $10,000 grant for the Elk Grove Food Bank.
After all, the city is here to serve and help the people, not provide a free lunch to city employees.
Incidentally, on February 10 the city expended $41.30 for “council agenda delivery” to an unspecified consignee.
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2/12 Tudo Un Poco $6,612.43
Who was Host for this little affair? My invitation must have been lost in the mail!
The charge to Todo Un Poco, as well as several others listed, are associated with the Annual Employee Appreciation Dinner. Although the check was issued by the City, the money actually comes from the Employee Activity Fund, which is funded SOLELY by personal contributions from employees. Absolutley no City funds are used for this dinner or any other employee event.
It might be prudent to retain these 'private' funds outside of the cities accounting system. If the city 'writes the check' then it's money that was held in an account under city authority. If you're implying these funds are NOT public funds then what are they doing in a public account and being dispensed on a public, City of Elk Grove check? Since they are being used for a non city expense they should be held and managed by an employee outside of the city's general ledger. Set up an account at a local bank for this with one or two employees serving as trustees. Say, for example.. River City Bank. It's just better accounting - and accountability to do it that way ... in my opinion.
Private Funds are NEVER intermingled with City Funds...Accounting 101! JMO, but I think there should be exact accountability for each and every expense paid by the City that are in any way associated with the "private funds" you speak of. This should be addressed at the next City Council meeting. A full disclosure needs to be made identifying each and every expense. Also, the $41.30 for "council agenda delivery"...hopefully this is not another Sofie S. trick since she lives maybe 1 1/2 miles from City Hall. Maybe the City can give her a little stipend to help her out. I, for one, don't think we should put a hardship on anyone, afterall she is our Mayor.
Was all of this for City employees...or contract workers???
By looking at this list of restaurants, I think we all know where the Mayor likes to spend her lunch hours. Maybe we should show up and ask for a free lunch, too, on the city. Imagine if a bunch of us wanted to ask Ms. Mayor a few questions....head over to Panera Bread around noon.
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