David Cline: Atwater is out of control

Re “State controller audit raises concerns about Atwater finances” (Page A1, Dec. 4): Why would anyone be surprised? Atwater has been shucking and jiving its finances for years. The recent state audit disclosed our city has committed myriad financial misdeeds dating back to 2002. During this time, in an effort to keep the ship afloat, the city has run through five city managers and four finance directors.

The only constant in this equation is Mayor Joan Faul. For the last 12 years, Atwater has managed to commit every financial sin there is. They even managed to invent a few of their own. They have misstated most of the financial accounts, failed to keep proper records, misplaced critical data and, worst of all, publicly claimed improvement on a daily basis. The recent audit has proven this to be a fantasy.

Two years ago, in a desperate bid to keep the roof from caving in, the city manager brought in a high-powered finance director, Bill Zenoni. At the City Council meeting Feb. 25, Zenoni recommended a new policy involving interfund loans. The council enthusiastically endorsed this new policy. Then, with millions of dollars transferred from one fund to another, much of it without a legal basis, the city has barely kept one step away from bankruptcy.

Our best hope is our new mayor, James Price. He will demand accountability and full disclosure from the city manager and new finance manager.

This story was originally published December 10, 2014 at 3:45 PM with the headline "David Cline: Atwater is out of control."