Laura Chick Audits DONE
Department of Neighborhood Empowerment

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CHICK AUDIT SETS FORTH A PLAN FOR PHASE II OF

NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCILS

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November 28, 2006

Los Angeles – In releasing her audit of the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment, City Controller Laura Chick has said the City must “…move DONE and Neighborhood Councils to an overdue Phase II…one of true community representation and empowerment.”

“Based on undisputed findings and a seven year track record, this audit announces that the original vision for neighborhood councils is far from achieved,” wrote Chick.

DONE was created in 1999 as the City department responsible for certifying and overseeing Neighborhood Councils. There are over 80 Neighborhood Councils in Los Angeles which receive a total of $4.3 million annually.

“During the last several years DONE has been charged with the Herculean task of getting Neighborhood Councils up and running. Now DONE must concentrate on facilitating the full realization and empowerment of our Neighborhood Councils,” said Chick.

Among the findings of the Chick audit:

	Lax financial controls at DONE
	Millions of taxpayer dollars allocated to Neighborhood Councils sit unspent.
	DONE doesn’t track and analyze reoccurring problems
	DONE needs to a do a better job in helping and supporting Neighborhood Councils in achieving greater diversity, civic participation and community representation.
	There needs to be an adopted City plan for DONE which sets forth the authority to monitor and assist Neighborhood Councils.

“I’m encouraged by the strong interim management at DONE and by the ongoing work of the Neighborhood Council Review Commission. Grassroots democracy is not easy or pretty. Now is the time for the elected leadership of this City to deliver on the promise of a real Department of Neighborhood Empowerment,” said Chick .

The full 51 page DONE audit, in PDF file format, can be downloaded here: DONE AUDIT (or can be accessed at her website at www.lacity.org/ctr).

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Laura Chick,
LA Controller
controller.chick@lacity.org