Council is Split on Citizen Oversight Committee, But A New Budget Process Will Be Implemented in January
By Krista Daly
San Marino City Councilmembers could not agree on whether a Blue Ribbon Committee should be formed to review the city’s annual budget.
Since Vice Mayor Allan Yung was not present during Wednesday’s regular meeting, the 2-2 vote stalled the decision. Mayor Sun and Richard Ward said they are in favor of establishing a committee, while Dennis Kneier and Richard Sun concluded the city does not need one right now.
Despite this delay, council did move forward on a new budget process for the 2015/16 year. The process includes 12 meetings, each delving into specific budget items, to provide greater transparency and a closer review of the budget.
Hal Harrigian, a retired Certified Public Accountant living in San Marino, said the Blue Ribbon Committee is meant to complement the budget process, and such a committee might be called upon every five years. Advisory recommendations would be made to the council, who would make the final call.
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