Dear Editor:
WHEN is transparency actually opaque? Quick answer – when you are Oxnard City Hall. Yes, Oxnard City staff like to speak and cite the word ‘transparent’; however, when push comes to shove, their actions say otherwise. When an Oxnard taxpayer submits a written request to meet with Oxnard’s Chief Finance Officer and the Assistant City Treasurer to discuss and clarify how interest is earned/paid and what basis is used for Oxnard’s investment funds, City staff says ‘nay’. Actually, they don’t say anything. They just do not respond at all to the meeting request. Complete silence. Some may consider this rude. I personally consider this lack of response unprofessional.
At the 6 February 2024 City Council meeting, a request for a meeting was reiterated. The city staff was reminded that they, regardless of position or job title, actually work for every taxpayer in the city of Oxnard. As such, when a taxpayer requests a simple thing like a meeting to discuss city operations, one would naturally think they would comply. The taxpaying residents deserve to understand the city’s finances. However, it appears the city wants to keep the taxpayers in the dark.
A few months ago, a meeting was…
