UPDATE: Lake Elsinore Council Request Animal Friends of the Valleys Audit

The City of Lake Elsinore has done something we believe should have been done a long time ago, audit the Animal Friends of the Valleys animal shelter (AFV).   The City of Lake Elsinore pays AFV $800,000.00+ each and every year .  When AFV approached the City Council at the last council meeting they asked for  a renewed contract and increase in funds given by the City of Lake Elsinore.  The City Council asked for an audit before they would sign the new contract and this is good business in our book.      There is nothing wrong with requesting an audit in fact it reassures us as taxpayers our leaders are looking out for our best interest.   

The Council asked if our services will continue during the audit? AFV said  they will continue to service Lake Elsinore as usual with no interruptions while the audit is being conducted by the County of Riverside and reviewed by the 5 Partner City Councils.  

We believe AFV should be held accountable for every penny they spend and  its operating by the book (AFV operations manual).  In fact all 5 partner cities are involved in the audit they want to know how the money is spent and they are grateful to the City Council of Lake Elsinore for putting this on the table.

We  respect Mayor Johnson, council members Tisdale and Hickman’s  decision to postpone the vote until after the audit scheduled for September 8, 2014.   Oversight is important and demonstrates to us our City Council is on top of things working for we taxpayers.     

You can view the whole discussion on the City of Lake Elsinore’ website August 26, 2014 meeting video or read the Press Enterprise story along with all the comments  (links follow).    Some who have commented on the Press Enterprise are current or former AFV employees.    “Where there’s smoke is there fire”

http://www.pe.com/articles/animal-749150-city-contract.html