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Council member urges monthly pie-chart budgets, calls for forensic audit of past spending
Summary
Council member Ruben pressed for clearer monthly financial reporting—asking for a department-level pie chart—and proposed a forensic audit to determine how roughly $80,000 in prior lawsuit payments occurred without timely council notification.
Council member Ruben pressed the council for clearer, regular financial reporting, saying the council does not know “how much money the city has right now” and asking for a one-page, department-level breakdown. "I want a pie chart," Ruben said, specifying the chart should show totals for police, fire, public works, office and the general fund so the council can see month-to-month spending and remaining balances.
Ruben also raised concern about past settlements. He said the city previously paid “roughly around $80,000 in lawsuits without councils even knowing anything about it till after the fact,” and urged a forensic audit “to find out what really happened these past four years.” Mayor Gonzales and staff said they would follow up; the council discussed the limits of what can be shared publicly when matters involve employee privacy or union negotiations.
