The nonpartisan San Diego County Taxpayers Association gave out their Golden Watchdog and Fleece awards at their 28th annual Golden Watchdog Symposium last week.
The awards recognize what they call the best and worst in public spending, decision-making, and efficiency throughout 2023-24 in San Diego County.
The symposium, colloquially known as “the Goldens,” took place on Oct. 18 and brought together business leaders and elected officials.
Keynote speaker Dennis Shea, executive director of the J. Ronald Terwilliger Center for Housing Policy, opened the event by addressing housing challenges nationally, regionally and locally.
Following that were two panel discussions by public policy experts and officials about homelessness and housing unsheltered populations.
The first panel, “From Risk to Resilience: How Community Programs Prevent Homelessness and Foster Stability,” discussed strategies on preventing homelessness. The second, “Blueprint 2050: Shaping San Diego’s Community Landscape,” addressed long-term solutions for housing difficulties.
The Golden Watchdog and Fleece award winners are:
- Grand Golden Watchdog – Grossmont Healthcare District, Fiscal Stewardship: Reduction in Bond Tax Rate
- Grand Golden Fleece – San Diego Public Utilities Department, Continued Poor Customer Service and Faulty Meter Readings
- Golden Watchdog Award in Schools – MiraCosta Community College District, Excellence in Bond Program Management
- Golden Fleece Award in Schools – Sweetwater Union High School District, Pay Increases Amidst Budget Shortfalls and Job Cuts
- Golden Watchdog Award in Cities – City of El Cajon, Automated License Plate Reader
- Golden Fleece Award in Cities – National City: City Council, City Council Slush Funds
- Golden Watchdog Award in Utilities – San Diego County Water Authority, “Scanny” High-Tech Surveillance Device
- Golden Fleece Award in Utilities – Sweetwater Authority, Budgetary Waste and Inefficiency
- Public-Private Partnership Award – City of Oceanside/San Diego Rescue Mission, Oceanside Homeless Navigation Center
- Media Watchdog Award – Art Castañares, Excellence in Reporting and Public Accountability
“We are incredibly honored to receive the Golden Watchdog award for excellence in bond program management,” Tim Flood, MiraCosta assistant superintendent and vice president of administrative services, said in a release.
“This recognition reflects our unwavering commitment to transparency, fiscal responsibility and ensuring that every dollar invested in our campus serves our students and community to the fullest,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sweetwater Authority issued a statement pledging to address taxpayer’s concerns. “The budget surpluses from fiscal year 2021-22 through 2023-24, cited in the award nomination, are necessary reserves allocated for critical infrastructure projects, many of which cannot be funded in a single budget cycle or by several years of surpluses,” said the statement.
“These surpluses are not immediate opportunities to reduce rates, but rather vital for upgrading aging infrastructure over time to lessen rate impacts on customers while maintaining reliable water service.”
“The Authority remains committed to transparency in its financial planning and budget process,” the statement said.
