Tracy council authorizes up to $110,000 for audit comparing city and community aquatics proposals
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Summary
Council approved staff authority to negotiate and execute a contract up to $110,000 to audit and compare two aquatics proposals (city plan vs. community plan). The vote was split 3–2 and followed lengthy public comment both urging and opposing the audit.
The Tracy City Council voted Nov. 4 to allow staff to negotiate and execute a contract, not to exceed $110,000, for an independent audit comparing the city’s aquatics center plan with an alternative community‑led proposal. The motion passed 3–2 after residents and councilmembers offered sharply divided views on the value of the review.
Assistant City Manager Arturo Sanchez told council the city solicited proposals to compare the two plans — the ‘city plan’ and a competing ‘community plan’ — and received one responsive bid. Staff requested authority to finish vetting that bidder and to negotiate terms so the audit could proceed without delay. Sanchez said the audit would assess phasing, timelines and financial sustainability, including whether the 2017 market study cited by both proponents remains valid.
Opponents argued the contract would waste public funds and duplicate work already completed by the city. “I don’t think you’re going to get an apples‑to‑apples comparison,” said public commenter Todd Lieber, who urged council to reject the $110,000 expenditure and suggested alternative uses for the money. Supporters said a thorough, professional financial comparison was necessary because the two proposals differ in scope and phasing and that the council needs an independent assessment to judge long‑term sustainability.
Council debate reflected the split in public comment. Council member Dan Evans said he could not support spending $110,000 on an additional audit while the city already has invested heavily in its own design work and recommended moving forward with the approved city design. Council member Dottie Nygaard said the audit would help test the assumptions and financial sustainability of both proposals.
A final roll call recorded votes as follows: Mayor Pro Tem Amber Abercrombie — yes; Council member Dottie Nygaard — yes; Council member Bedoya — no; Council member Dan Evans — no; Mayor Dan Areola — yes. The measure passed 3–2.
The contract authority granted on Nov. 4 allows city procurement staff to finalize terms with the responsive bidder, subject to the limits approved by council. Staff said it will return with any additional required contractual approvals or material changes to scope.
