Public spending golden opportunity for group to hand out awards

The San Diego County Taxpayers Association announced the winners of the 28th Annual Golden Watchdog Symposium, featuring the Golden Watchdog & Fleece Awards on Oct. 18. The awards recognize the best and worst in public spending, decision-making, and efficiency throughout 2023-2024 in San Diego County.

The Golden Watchdog Symposium, better known as “the Goldens,” brought together community and business leaders, elected officials, and more. Nominations for policies and programs were submitted to Taxpayers through a public process. The internal committees responsible for selecting the winners had carefully deliberated each nominee to determine who should earn the Golden Watchdog and Fleece awards.

The Golden Watchdog & Fleece Award winners for this year:

Grand Golden Watchdog

Grossmont Healthcare District – Fiscal Stewardship: Reduction in Bond Tax Rate

Grand Golden Fleece

San Diego Public Utilities Department – Continued Poor Customer Service, Faulty Meter Readings

Golden Watchdog Award in Schools

MiraCosta Community College District – Excellence in Bond Program Management

Golden Fleece Award in Schools

Sweetwater Union High School District – Pay Increases Amidst Budget Shortfalls and Job Cuts

Golden Watchdog Award in Cities

City of El Cajon – Automated License Plate Reader

Golden Fleece Award in Cities

National City: City Council – City Council Slush Funds

Golden Watchdog Award in Utilities

San Diego County Water Authority – “Scanny” High-Tech Surveillance Device

Golden Fleece Award in Utilities

Sweetwater Authority – Budgetary Waste and Inefficiency

The Goldens Symposium brought together public policy experts and officials for two panel discussions on homelessness and housing. The first panel, “From Risk to Resilience: How Community Programs Prevent Homelessness and Foster Stability,” discussed key strategies of addressing homelessness through prevention. The second panel, “Blueprint 2050: Shaping San Diego’s Community Landscape”, explored long-term solutions for the region’s housing challenges.

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