Brooke Edwards,
Staff Writer

VICTORVILLE • Over protest from Mayor Pro Tem Mike Rothschild, the council voted to move forward with an investigation into city finances with the San Bernardino County grand jury at the helm.

Councilman Ryan McEachron first requested a forensic audit to specifically look for evidence of any fraudulent activities after a year in office hearing continued concerns from residents that malfeasance had helped land Victorville in the financial hole it’s currently in.

But since calling for the investigation in December, McEachron said it’s been suggested to him that if the city hires its own auditing firm, the public’s perception of the results “might be tainted in some way.”

And so he told the council Tuesday night that he had asked the grand jury — which is already investigating a number of city practices — if they’d be willing to hire a firm as the only way to guarantee the audit is viewed as completely independent and objective.

“I think it’s a waste of money,” Rothschild said, before casting his vote against the audit. He said he thinks it adds “no value to this city.”

No other council members commented on the proposal, though the rest of them voted in favor of it.

McEachron said the item will now go before the grand jury to vote on whether to take responsibility for hiring a forensic auditing firm. He said the grand jury has a budget to perform such audits, and that if expenses go beyond that amount, the group can go to the county Board of Supervisors and ask for additional funds.

As the newest council member, McEachron has said he’s hopeful the investigation won’t turn up anything and that it’ll help clear up any negative perceptions of the city. But if any fraud is found, he said at least they’ll be able to deal with it and move on.

Brooke Edwards may be reached at (760) 955-5358 or at bedwards@VVDailyPress.com.