Despite being named the state of California’s riskiest city a divided council passed a controversial street repair bond 3-1 during a Public Hearing held on December 15. Residents were outraged that the city passed a $45 million street repair bond, at higher rates, against funds they receive annually for infrastructure repair.
“Measure M, Measure R, and Proposition C, are county sales tax revenues the city receives annually of approximately $4.5 million and we are proposing a portion of that revenue be used to obtain a much larger size funding opportunity to address infrastructure needs,” said City Manager Craig Cornwell. “This is not a request to add to resident’s property tax or add to sales tax, but a request from funds that are coming into the city annually and want to propose a percentage to fund a larger infrastructure rehabilitation program.”
Because the city lacks audits, with an independent opinion on the city’s internal controls, the city doesn’t have a credit rating to ensure they receive favorable rates to pay back the bond debt. Residents cite the recent audit performed by the state controller as further evidence the council continues to overextend themselves with frivolous spending.
“There is no impact to the General Fund and we are leveraging outside funds to pay for the bond debt,” said Councilwoman Michelle Chambers who campaigned on repairing the city’s infrastructure through a bond program.
“The money from the proposed funding sources are not co-mingled with the general fund,” said Treasurer Doug Sanders.
“I totally have faith in your leadership and your department,” said Chambers regarding Sanders comment.
Residents continue to be concerned about the city’s capacity to pay back the debt, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and revenue shortfall.
The bond measure passed 3-1 with Councilman Isaac Galvan voting no and Councilwoman Tana McCoy not being present.
“I have been working with Independent Cities Finance Authority (ICFA) since 2017 and I know the community wants us to hold off but I am really passionate about ways to get money to fix the streets,” said Councilwoman Emma Sharif.
Sharif was the deciding vote and typically voted in line with her constituents. When reached by 2UrbanGirls about her decision she declined to comment.
“This is the most pitiful administration this city has ever seen in its history,” said Cynthia Macon, a long-time Compton resident. “Passing a bond after being cited by the state controller for overspending and right before the April 2021 election shows their contempt for the people and ineptitude in governing.”
Other residents look forward to the repairs.
“The bond is a great way for the city to leverage transportation funding it already receives to create larger, more impactful infrastructure projects,” said Jace Dawson, who lives in the 2nd District. “Pay as you go is great for municipalities that have actively maintained their roads, that’s not where we are in Compton and I am looking forward to seeing the streets improved in my district.”
5 Comments
Cynthia, excellent insight.
I totally agree with you. It is so sad when people are running for an office has “no clue” about the impact of this bond decision has on the citizens. Don’t run for office if you have no skills or know what is actually issues in Compton.
Measure P and the bond for street repair is a double dipping. LA Board of Supervisors should not approve this bond. Compton continues to mismanage funds and citizens are left with broken promises, debt and Council / City leadership leaves with no accountability,
We MUST be retarded since we keep reelecting them!
I see no one cited made mention the Measure P sales tax passed in 2016 to “Fix Our Streets” brought in 40 million dollars that got spent largely elsewhere on other items with the largest share going to the Sheriffs. If the city thinks this is so great an idea, let’s see what the State Controller has to say about spending money promised to fix the streets on other things, then passing a bond with high interest to get the very same amount of money, and all the while while having revenue 300% larger than other similarly sized charter cities in Los Angeles County. While all of us desire to see the streets repaired, would you pay your contractor twice to do the same job? These arguments verge on absurdity like there is no impact on the general fund. Then where is the interest payment coming from and tell that to future councils forced to work with less because the streets being put down or already being reported as shoddy and coming back up. Leveraging works, putting more money into the hands of those cited by the state for overspending and who you cannot trust to do what they say or promise is another thing.
Really Compton, just stop this foolishness….Emma we thought you would have the common sense to see that this is more bullshit. You all have not been able manage monies given previously.
Emma I’m really disappointed in you.
This is a real joke…and Michelle stating faith in Doug when he claims he had no knowledge in the money that walked out of city hall under his leadership.
Please all of you just resign!!!
Emma’s brain cell can only retain info until she goes to sleep.
Cynthia hit it on the head. 4 years of measure P being sold as street infrastructure, about 40 million collected so far, and still not enough. The BOND is basically a LOAN but is called a bond when obtained thru an agency! What is the full interest amount that we owe at the end for borrowing this amount of money that is secured thru Props and NOT measure P.
These council members are fucking looney and think we retarded