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.