City Auditor shares findings of an audit which found that
” that found LB’s (City of Long Beach) Public Works Department had let some contractors receive roughly $1.9 million more than they should have under the Job Order Contracting program. The actions involved projects costing an average of $100,000 each, meaning LB taxpayers didn’t receive as many as 19 infrastructure projects that they might have. ” (Source: LBReport.com)
“In April (entering the campaign cycle for the sales tax increase portrayed as for infrastructure), Mayor Garcia agendized an item seeking changes in the Public Works Dept. program without disclosing Audit findings of which the Auditor had made him aware. On May 24, the Council approved City Attorney office-drafted changes to the Job Order Contracting program without disclosing the Audit-based underlying reasons for them. On May 25 (after vote by mail ballots had been circulating since roughly May 9), the Auditor’s office released its findings. The Auditor’s office has told LBREPORT.com that its timeline for releasing its Audit findings was coincidental.” – LBReport.com
Proper oversight, education, and training are required for developing and implementing a Job Order Contract.