Many Menlo Park residents have said they were misled by the city when they voted in favor of a new utility tax last year, but City Council members say they’ve made a big step toward boosting the credibility and accessibility of the city’s financial data.
On Oct. 9 council members voted 5-0 to create a finance committee that is expected to review the city’s annual audits and make sure taxpayers know the city’s fiscal status.
The committee will consist of councilmen John Boyle and Richard Cline and three yet-to-be-named residents.
As with other city commissions and committees, the group’s meetings will be open to the public.
Earlier this year, councilmen Cline and Andy Cohen pushed for the creation of such a committee following the public outcry regarding the new city tax on utility bills. The tax was passed on the premise that the city would have to start cutting vital city services without additional funds, but residents challenged that thinking after financial reports released after the election revealed that the city’s financial situation was better than projected.
Councilman Boyle has also been a staunch proponent of more frequent and timely financial reporting.
The city will start accepting applications for the committee soon, and Menlo Park residents with some financial knowledge are encouraged to apply.
Taylor named recreation
director in Saratoga
Michael Taylor, a 16-year veteran of the Menlo Park Community Services Department, has been named the director of the Saratoga Recreation Department.
Mr. Taylor was a senior recreation supervisor in Menlo Park before leaving in March to become the interim recreation director of Saratoga’s department after the previous director fell ill. The previous director did not return to the job, and Mr. Taylor was hired as the new director in September.
Mr. Taylor said that in Saratoga, the majority of the city’s recreation programs are run by private businesses in conjunction with the city — a stark difference from Menlo Park programs, which are mostly operated by city employees.
In 2006, Mr. Taylor served as the interim community services director after the departure of director Curtis Brown. During Mr. Taylor’s stint as interim director, he was a spokesperson for the department during controversial efforts to privatize Burgess Pool, privatize the city’s Burgess child care programs, and restructure the city’s Belle Haven child care programs.
Free compost
for residents
Menlo Park residents can pick up free compost every Saturday until Nov. 10 near the entrance to Bayfront Park, at the intersection of Bayfront Expressway and Marsh Road.
The compost will be deposited by Allied Waste by 9 a.m. each Saturday morning. Residents should bring their own shovels and containers.
— Rory Brown
