This story was reported for the San Diego News Network on October 16, 2009.
I was hoping to have a full story Friday in regards to the memo released by San Diego Chief Operating Officer Jay Goldstone but it looks like officials are still examining it.
Let me give readers an update though.
Councilmember Donna Frye’s spokesperson said she’ll be reviewing the memo for the next few days while councilmember Todd Gloria’s office has yet to respond. I also invited councilmember Carl DeMaio to give his thoughts as the numbers guru, but he opted out.
Goldstone stated in a memo Thursday that the city of San Diego did not violate “Council Policy” when awarding or administering the contract for consultancy company Grant Thornton’s services in regard to the Managed Competition Program.
His memo, was in response to a memo issued by Frye and Gloria earlier in the week, asking for insight from Mayor Jerry Sanders’ office into documents that may have shown a violation of council policy– specifically, the San Diego Municipal section 22.3223 which requires that the City Council approve of consulting agreements exceeding $250,000 in a fiscal year.
Goldstone’s memo replied to the councilmembers, stating that the allegations were “baseless.”
Related Links: Memo makes waves at City Hall as Goldstone fires back | SDNN inquiry prompts investigation into city’s finances
Further documentation accompanying the memo shows that $369,030 was spent over three years, and “during no fiscal year did expenditures to Grant Thornton exceed $250,000.”
The $671,011 figure cited in the councilmembers’ memo was a pricing agreement, which establishes the costs of services, and is not a binding contract with the city.
“My staff has researched this issue and has determined that at no time has Council Policy been violated in the award or administration of this contract,” stated Goldstone’s memo.
Check back with SDNN for more info next week.
Hoa Quach is the SDNN political editor. Email her: Politics(a)SDNN.com