Local reporting by The Oregonian/OregonLive again proves important, via recent articles covering extravagant spending by Washington County’s Clean Water Services staff, (“Washington County sewer officials ran up huge food tab on ratepayers’ dime,” March 22). The repercussions of this alleged management malfeasance are yet to be realized, but one impact is certain: A further erosion of trust in public agencies.
Something else is true as well. Spending ratepayer dollars with little regard for the fiscal responsibility, optics and ethics involved provides fertile ground for ideas such as the federal Department of Government Efficiency, also known as DOGE. Something similar could take root at state and local levels.
Clean Water Services executives seem tone deaf at the moment, but here’s hoping the drum beat for accountability will register soon.
Dave Murray, Portland
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