2013 Grand Jury Report finds no problems with Beaumont Economic Stimulus Program.

In 2009 The Economic Stimulus Program was adopted by the City Council to assist citizens, businesses, homeowners, and employees through the Great Recession. [attached Resolution 2009-9, note Sections 8 and 12.] It won the 2010 League of California Cities “Helen Putnam Award” for:

“League Partners Award for Excellence in City-Business Relations”

“Program Title: Beaumont Economic Stimulus Program: The City of Beaumont's local Economic Stimulus Program has spurred economic growth in our community through slashing development fees, encouraging sustainable development, and offering deferred interest on the City portion of property tax bills.”

Materials were developed and handed out in the Beaumont civic center, in the community, and at the 2010 League Annual Conference in San Diego explaining and promoting the program.

Grand Jury 2013: Reviewed/discussed the stimulus program and the loans made during an investigating on a filed “financial” complaint. Grand Jury found no reason to file a report

What I don't understand is why the District Attorney did not review this Grand Jury Report and other documentation before they decided to file the charges against the former city manager regarding loans and the sales tax program. Back in 2000, the city of Corona conspired with Robertson's Concrete to create a call center in Corona, so all the tax revenue could be diverted to Corona which Corona agreed to split with Robertson Concrete. This caused the city of Beaumont, Moreno Valley and the County of Riverside to lose a large sum of tax revenue, for the city of Beaumont it was over $50,000 dollars. The call center was located in a sweat shop off of Piece Street with no air conditioning etc. The had the back door open. I observed it and reported it to the press. Nothing was done about it and the city of Corona got away with diversion of tax dollars. What was wrong with Beaumont doing the same thing? The same thing was done in the bay area with fuel.

With the ripoff of our tax dollars by Corona, the city council directed staff to find ways to recover this loss revenue which included our own type of program, along with legislation by the state and having our city vendors sell up their products in the city of Beaumont which was legal.

Why is ok for Corona to take our sales tax dollars for concrete produced and placed in the city of Beaumont, yet its not ok to recover tax revenue by being creative so the city of Beaumont has revenue to provide the needed services to its citizens.