COLUSA, CA (MPG) – For the second time since the City of Colusa’s regrettable spending spree on city-sponsored events during the summer of 2021, the Colusa County Grand Jury has recommended the City make appropriate updates to its purchasing policy by the end of the year – and to provide training for administrative staff and employees.
The grand jury, in its 2023-24 report, which the Superior Court of Colusa County released on July 16, said the city needs to conduct a thorough review of the existing purchasing policy and make all necessary revisions to address the deficiencies identified during the grand jury’s extensive investigation in 2021-22, which uncovered several instances of misuse of public funds, violations of state and local event permitting regulations, and violations of several City of Colusa policies and procedures by city staff.
The report states the city did make good progress in the development and implementation of policies associated with the planning and permitting of city-sponsored events, as well as changes to its policy for credit card use. However, the grand jury’s most recent investigation found “the City of Colusa did not make updates to its existing Purchasing Policy as city officials had represented in its letter of response to the 2021-22 Grand Jury Report,” the report states.
As previously reported by the Pioneer Review, the decision to develop stricter spending policies came after City Manager Jesse Cain and Tourism Director Kristy Levings spent in excess of $129,000 on unbudgeted expenses related to large events, such as the costly and exclusive Country in Colusa festival in June of 2021, without any discussion or authorization from the full City Council, which ultimately resulted in Levings’ resignation and a 2022 election loss of several key players involved in the controversy.
The grand jury’s 2024 report stated the purpose of its most recent investigation was not to reopen the 2022 investigation, but to review the actions and progress the city has taken since then.
According to the report, the City Council acknowledged the city violated its spending procedures and noted the council had amended the city’s purchasing policy on Nov. 2, 2021. However, the minutes of that meeting reflect there was no action taken by the council after Cain suggested no change was necessary, unless the council wanted to lower or increase the spending limits.
During its most recent investigation, without identifying individuals interviewed, the grand jury said there still exists some confusion and a lack of general understanding among city administrators and staff regarding the “applicability and requirements established in the city’s currency purchasing policy,” and that some city administrators and staff have “identified issues and concerns with the city’s implementation of the existing purchasing policy.”
The grand jury has recommended the city conduct a thorough review of the policy and make necessary and appropriate changes to ensure the purchasing policy reflects current regulations, ordinances, and policies.
The jurors also recommended the city develop an annual training program for elected officials, city administrators, and staff who are responsible for the expenditure of public money that is consistent with the policy and have them attest in writing that they have completed the training and understand their duties and obligations.
The grand jury also recommended the city establish an ad hoc committee that includes two city council members and the city treasurer to provide oversight of expenditures to ensure consistency with the city’s adopted policy.
“The ad hoc committee should report out to the full City Council and the community at a regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council on a quarterly basis highlighting the ad hoc committee’s activities,” the report noted.
The grand jury has requested the city respond to their five findings pursuant to government code.