San Diego County board creates ad hoc fiscal transparency subcommittee after amendment adding equity and labor standards

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted to form an ad hoc subcommittee on fiscal transparency and accountability, approving an amendment that adds service-quality, equity, sustainability and responsible labor standards to the committee's charge.

Supervisor Anderson, who co-authored the board letter, said the subcommittee is intended to "take a scalpel" to $2.2 billion in annual county contracts and ask whether the county is getting its money's worth, while protecting essential services in the face of an estimated $300,000,000 annual funding gap. "Our goal is not to disrupt services," Anderson said, "but to find where we can save money, improve performance, and strengthen service delivery."

Vice Chair Monica Montgomery Stebbz and other supervisors said the amendments strengthen the item's focus on procurement accessibility and local contracting. Marissa Bell, president of SEIU's African American affinity group, told the board she is a county employee who supports the item but urged the county to prioritize hiring county staff and hold contractors to the same standards as county workers. "Contractors are never held accountable," Bell said, and urged supervisors to vote yes.

Supervisor Desmond said he supported the goal but objected to the use of an ad hoc subcommittee. "We're policymakers, not the fiscal or contract experts," Desmond said, arguing the county should rely on professional staff or outside consultants and that recommendations from the subcommittee should return to the full board for action. Desmond recorded a no vote.

Clerk records show the motion passed with Supervisor Desmond voting no and all other supervisors present voting aye. The board directed the subcommittee to examine contract performance standards, opportunities for in-sourcing, and ways to increase competition and equity in county procurement.

The board's action formalizes a review process the proponents say is intended to protect services and reinvest taxpayer dollars in local communities; the subcommittee will report back to the full board as required by law.