Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Sanger council hears Chamber financial update, forms ad hoc committee to negotiate contract
Loading...
Summary
After a quarterly presentation from the Sanger District Chamber of Commerce, council members and residents pressed for clearer accounting and oversight; the council formed an ad hoc committee of the mayor and Council Member Montelongo to coordinate contract negotiations with staff.
Isaiah Lopez, president and CEO of the Sanger District Chamber of Commerce, told the City Council during a quarterly presentation that the Chamber has resumed events and membership work after leadership turnover and that it is addressing roughly $50,000 in outstanding invoices uncovered after the previous president’s resignation. Lopez said the organization has restructured fees and is rebuilding controls while continuing community events that draw hundreds to several thousand attendees.
Lopez told the council the Chamber’s office and contract relationship with the city must be revised. He said a meeting with the city manager on April 9 produced two staff requests: a non‑voting seat for city staff on Chamber committees and a realignment of the Chamber’s board with 50% new members. Lopez also said the Chamber was asked to vacate its current office by July 1, 2026; he denied there was a district attorney investigation or confirmed break‑in, saying no official documents had been received.
Sheryl Sendh, identified in the presentation as the Chamber board chair, said a new chair, Mark Morales, will begin July 1 and defended the Chamber’s record and recordkeeping. Her remarks prompted public callers and several council members to press for more financial detail: who the Chamber’s sponsors and members are, itemized income and expenses for individual events, and whether the board had approved recent payments.
Multiple residents urged transparency, an audit and a town‑hall style meeting so the public could review relevant documents. Kevin Carter and another commenter asked specifically whether the District Attorney had issued a report; no such report was presented at the meeting.
City staff and the city attorney cautioned councilors to stay within the agenda’s scope (financial and event reporting and contract compliance) but confirmed the council may request information. Council members said they were encouraged by recent Chamber activity but remained concerned about past oversight, recurring CEO turnover and the need for clearer financial documentation.
By consensus — not a formal roll‑call vote on the record for a motion — the council agreed to form an ad hoc committee to advise and coordinate with the city manager on contract negotiations; Mayor Gonzalez volunteered and Council Member Montelongo agreed to serve. Council Member Hurtado said she would be available as an alternate for consultation if needed.
The council did not take final action on the Chamber contract at the meeting; the ad hoc committee is expected to provide direction to staff and work with the Chamber and city manager on a revised contract.
