Facing Budget Deficit, Sacramento County Throws $6,300 Staff Party. Sacramento County is considering cutting services and increasing assessments on residents to deal with a deficit estimated at $40 million to $60 million. But that didn't stop the administrators of the Sacramento County Department of Water Resources from spending $6,340.56 on a party for staffers, complete with tri-tip steaks, a huge tent, white table linens and $1,800 worth of folding chairs. While the agency boasts that providing safe drinking water from the tap is its top priority, its leaders opted to spend taxpayers' money on 150 bottles of water for its own employees.
Investigative reporter Kurtis Ming, of KOVR-TV's "Call Kurtis" feature, received a tip about the party and sent a hidden camera to the early April event. He reported: "Our CBS-13 cameras spotted county vehicle after county vehicle, headed to the barbecue in the middle of the work day."
Mr. Ming interviewed Sacramento County Supervisor Jimmie Yee, who voted in February for a directive to every county department to cut back on its spending. However, Mr. Yee defended the spending on the party, saying: "Hey, we should recognize employees doing a good job. A little luncheon doesn't hurt."
Cal-Tax President Teresa Casazza, who also was interviewed for the segment, had a different view. "Instead of talking about cutting vital services and raising taxes, let's get away from this government spending," Ms. Casazza said. (Source: KOVR-TV News, May 16.)
Cal-Taxletter May 23, 2008
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