County commissioners are looking to put the kibosh on what they call a pattern of underhanded hiring and spending by outgoing County Board President Todd Stroger.
The ill-fated hire of a now-indicted former Detroit Public Schools executive and a payment to a Stroger’s aide’s firm that flew beneath commissioners’ radars are the latest in a series of events that have prompted Commissioners John Daley, Bridget Gainer and Larry Suffredin to call for increased transparency in hiring and spending.
At Tuesday’s County Board meeting the trio will introduce an ordinance that will require the administration to provide more detail on spending and hiring decisions.
Expenses for professional or managerial services of less than $25,000 would have would have to be reported to the board within three days of payment by the comptroller.
Earlier this week, reports surfaced that a consulting firm owned by Stroger’s deputy chief of staff, Carla Oglesby, was paid $24,975 for services it provided to the county department of homeland security. The payment was made Feb. 26, soon after she was hired, and was $25 under the mark requiring the board’s approval.
Additionally, expenses for supplies, materials or equipment of more than $75,000 would be reported to the board. The county’s purchasing agent would also have to provide a similar report for purchases between $750 and $100,000.
A second ordinance would require the comptroller and director of human resources to report some personnel changes, including new hires, terminations, promotions and salary changes.
“Sunshine is the best antiseptic to an ill government. These ordinances create sunshine and give the board more operating opportunities than we previously had,” Suffredin said in a statement.
A third ordinance will call for a county-wide hiring freeze. It, however, won’t affect the county’s various consent decrees, the county health system or the juvenile detention center.