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by Dr. John Hardebeck
The right to vote is fundamental to being a citizen of the United States. Also, as part of our democracy, it's crucial for elected officials to be accountable to taxpayers.Indeed, accountability in financial reporting is critical in maintaining the voters' faith in any public agency.
Therefore, forming a group of citizens who are willing to oversee and guide the expenditures of taxpayer dollars in a timely and intelligent manner on behalf of all voters is an excellent method of assuring openness, transparency and public confidence. A qualified, experienced and autonomous oversight group -- devoid of unscrupulous special interests influences -- can play a key role in establishing integrity and trust in the governance process.
That's why the Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD), a public agency formed in 1952 to build and operate Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa, has formulated plans to create an Independent Citizens Oversight Committee (ICOC) for the possible implementation of Proposition G, a local measure that appears on the June 6 ballot.
As a reminder, Proposition G would allow a $247 million general obligation bond to fund a variety of hospital projects, including expanding the hospital emergency and critical care center, adding patient beds and upgrading the hospital's 50-year-old structural facilities, including seismic improvements.
Proposition G requires two-third approval of local voters. No ballot arguments were filed against Proposition G, and the San Diego County Taxpayers Association is recommending a "yes" vote. Passage of Proposition G is needed to ensure that East County residents have access to the latest, most advanced medical services.
If voters approve Proposition G, the GHD board of directors already have committed themselves, as directed in a recent public resolution, to establish an ICOC within 90 days of certification of election results.
As a taxpayer watchdog group, the ICOC's main role would be to audit and monitor the expenditures of Proposition G bond revenues appropriately -- on time and within budget. In addition, the Committee would oversee progress as construction continued, set priorities on a variety of hospital projects, develop standards to measure success and communicate to the community the judicious and efficient use of its taxpayer assets in an annual report. Credible public information is a strong tool that permits citizens to check the exercise of government power.
The ICOC would consist of nine volunteer members, including local residents with intimate background knowledge and expertise in construction, medical and labor industries, as well as taxpayer oversight and three "at-large" positions. Committee members, rife of potential conflicts of interest, would serve for no more than two four-year terms, and meet every other month for its first two years. It's possible their efforts will comprise hundreds of hours on behalf of local taxpayers.
This entire process of planning for a comprehensive and collaborative review effort with an ICOC -- even before the election -- is further proof to all East County taxpayers that the Grossmont Healthcare District is committed to shareholder democracy and ensuring that all bond revenues will be spent in the most efficient and cost-effective manner possible. It's another reason why Proposition G is worthy of passage.
--Dr. John Hardebeck is the 2006 president of the
Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD) board of directors.
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