Roads Coalition Is Driven Takes Broad-Based Approach To Raise Money For City Audit

Despite running into a series of roadblocks, a citizens group offering to pay half the cost of a city operations audit is moving full-speed ahead.

Coalition for Good Roads has offered to pay $25,000 toward a broad-based study of city operations by a nationally respected company.

Council members have accepted the offer, but turned down a cashier’s check for the full amount, drawn mostly from coalition organizer John Stone’s own account.

Stone said about $7,000 came from other supporters.

The council cited credibility concerns.

“Last week Mr. Stone noted this would be financed by a wide group of people,” Councilman Orville Barnes said. “We need to have this money in the bank with a list of contributors.”

No individual may donate more than $1,000.

Coalition members have rented a post office box and are canvassing the city trying to raise the money. They plan to have the $25,000 collected by Monday.

“We want as many people, at all levels, as we can to participate in this,” said Jackie Stone, John Stone’s sister and a coalition member. “We are trying to make this the people’s audit.”

The coalition is faxing and phoning pleas for donations to businesses, associations and organizations, Chamber of Commerce members and others.

“A lot of people are out soliciting funds for us,” Jackie Stone said. “The citizen response has been exceptional.”

Solicitors include Councilwoman Cherie Rodgers, who spent her lunch break making phone calls from City Hall raising money for the group.

“I’m calling everyone I know: friends, neighbors, long-lost relatives,” Rodgers said.

She said the reaction has been “outstanding.”

“People are saying ‘it’s worth every dime, what took you so long?”’ Rodgers said.

City Attorney Jim Sloane said there is no problem with council members soliciting donations in support of a city policy or activity, such as the contract with DMG-Maximus.

Jackie Stone said the group is on a tight deadline.

“We plan to make the presentation to City Council Monday,” she said.

The coalition was formed less than two months ago to find a way to improve city roads.

Coalition members say recent voter rejection of gasoline tax and property tax ballot issues, despite the need for road repairs, suggests a serious lack of confidence in city spending. The coalition proposed the operations audit as a way of helping rebuild public confidence.

The $50,000 will cover the first phase of the broad-based overview. Consultants DMG-Maximus plan to complete the draft report by Sept. 14, with a final report to the council by Sept. 28.

The report will not be a detailed or comprehensive analysis of city operations or management. Rather, it will provide a general overview of the city’s strengths, financial condition compared to other cities, and suggest areas for improvement.

TO CONTRIBUTE To donate, mail contributions to: Coalition for Good Roads, P.O. Box 1618, Spokane, WA., 99210-1618 Make checks payable to city of Spokane and be sure to include names of contributors. The deadline for receiving donations is Monday.