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Oversight committee debates scope of authority, agrees to forward quarterly expenditure report to council
Summary
Members reviewed a new expenditure‑review form and debated whether the Citizens Oversight Committee can recommend Measure B recruitment incentives; staff read Chapter 3.45 of the city ordinance and said the committee's role is to determine whether expenditures align with the public‑safety expenditure plan, not to propose new uses without Council action.
The Citizens Oversight Committee reviewed a staff‑prepared expenditure‑review form designed to document quarterly findings for City Council and the public. Committee members debated whether the body may meaningfully recommend using Measure B to fund recruitment or retention incentives for police or fire personnel.
City staff read the relevant ordinance language (Atwater Chapter 3.45) and emphasized that the committee’s charge is to review whether funds collected under the public‑safety transaction and use tax are expended in accordance with the current public‑safety expenditure plan, and to report findings to Council at least annually. Several committee members said they would like to provide the Council with recommendations about recruitment incentives and other spending priorities; staff and the city manager advised that formal recommendations or changes to expenditure authority would need Council consideration or an ordinance amendment.
Committee members agreed the new form provides a clear mechanism to document quarterly reviews and agreed to have staff file the form with Council on a regular basis. Members also flagged examples for future review (towing contracts for large vehicles, reserve firefighter apparel, and use of Measure B funds for recruitment incentives) and asked the city attorney to examine whether the committee could be given a broader advisory role in the ordinance.
Votes earlier in the meeting approved the agenda and the minutes from the June 10, 2025 regular meeting.
