Public commenter urges stronger audit oversight as Glendale finances strain

Herbert Milano, a Glendale resident, told the Charter Review Committee at its Dec. 11 meeting that the city's finances are in worse shape than many residents realize and urged the committee to propose charter-based controls.

"This charter review committee can propose to the city council ... to have a really viable and strong audit committee that meets every month and has subpoena power," Milano said during public comment, arguing the city needs independent oversight of contracts, requests for proposals and payroll growth.

Milano summarized data from recent staff presentations and a prior state-auditor evaluation, saying Glendale's median household income has barely kept pace with inflation while fees and utility taxes rose faster. He warned that unpaid pension liabilities and rising annual CalPERS payments are draining the general fund; in his remarks he cited a multi-hundred-million-dollar increase in unfunded pension obligations and a large jump in annual payments to CalPERS.

Why it matters: Milano framed these fiscal indicators as a reason the committee should consider embedding stronger financial controls into the charter rather than leaving those safeguards solely to future councils or administrative rules. He urged the committee to let voters consider measures that would lock in independent audit authority and other guardrails.

Committee response: Committee members thanked Milano for his presentation; the committee did not take action on his suggestions at the meeting but noted public comments like his would be part of the broader charter review, particularly in discussions about audit and accountability provisions.

Next steps: The Charter Review Committee will reconvene in January. Milano's proposals could be taken up as charter language or as referral items the committee recommends to the city council and staff for follow-up.