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Proclamation honors finance professionals as residents press city on public-records responsiveness
Summary
Cotati presented a proclamation recognizing Government Finance Professionals Week; during the item several residents raised concerns that public records requests to the city’s finance/administrative services offices were delayed or unanswered and urged greater transparency.
The Cotati City Council recognized Government Finance Professionals Week on March 24 and invited representatives from county and local agencies to accept the proclamation. County Auditor‑Controller Eric Roeser, school district finance staff and the Rancho Adobe Fire District accepted the recognition and described routine finance functions, audits and revenue distribution.
During the proclamation item and related public comment, multiple residents urged improved responsiveness to public‑records requests and greater transparency in city spending. Former councilmember George Barich and a caller who identified contact attempts with Administrative Services staff raised specific complaints that requests were delayed or redirected without substantive answers. Another commenter said she had sought billing totals for legal services provided by Redwood Public Law since October and was told attorney‑client privilege limited disclosure; she said those totals had been provided in the past.
City administrative staff accepted the comments and thanked the finance professionals for their work; staff did not resolve the specific public‑records claims in the meeting and indicated follow‑up would occur outside the dais. The proclamation proceeded with the invited recipients and a photo opportunity.
The public comments during the proclamation item underscore continuing community concern about access to records and the financial information that informs council decisions; those concerns were not resolved at the March 24 meeting and may require follow‑up with administrative services and the city attorney’s office.
