Andrea Tevlin is the so-called independent budget analyst working for the council. But she has apparently been compromised. Jay Poole, head of advocacy for the National Association of Local Government Auditors, said flatly in a letter published in December that San Diego's auditor should NOT be appointed by the mayor. This month, he penned a softball letter that waffled on the issue. Civic activist Mel Shapiro called Poole and asked him why he caved. "He said, 'Andrea Tevlin asked me to,'" says Shapiro, who expresses his dismay with Tevlin. She says she only asked Poole to be sure that his position was consistent. She favors the auditor being appointed by the mayor if the audit committee is appointed by the city council, and the auditor reports to the audit committee. According to an outside auditor, San Diego's internal financial controls are inadequate and the books are susceptible to error and fraud. It is astonishing that anyone could recommend the auditor be appointed by a mayor -- particularly this mayor -- under such circumstances, no matter who appoints the audit committee. The matter will be discussed this evening (Jan. 14) at the council meeting. Mayor Jerry Sanders, who packed his charter review committee with lawyers and lobbyists for the real estate development industry, hopes that the power to name the auditor will go on the ballot, as recommended by the stacked committee.
Andrea Tevlin is the so-called independent budget analyst working for the council. But she has apparently been compromised. Jay Poole, head of advocacy for the National Association of Local Government Auditors, said flatly in a letter published in December that San Diego's auditor should NOT be appointed by the mayor. This month, he penned a softball letter that waffled on the issue. Civic activist Mel Shapiro called Poole and asked him why he caved. "He said, 'Andrea Tevlin asked me to,'" says Shapiro, who expresses his dismay with Tevlin. She says she only asked Poole to be sure that his position was consistent. She favors the auditor being appointed by the mayor if the audit committee is appointed by the city council, and the auditor reports to the audit committee. According to an outside auditor, San Diego's internal financial controls are inadequate and the books are susceptible to error and fraud. It is astonishing that anyone could recommend the auditor be appointed by a mayor -- particularly this mayor -- under such circumstances, no matter who appoints the audit committee. The matter will be discussed this evening (Jan. 14) at the council meeting. Mayor Jerry Sanders, who packed his charter review committee with lawyers and lobbyists for the real estate development industry, hopes that the power to name the auditor will go on the ballot, as recommended by the stacked committee.