October 14, 2004

City Office Revamp Seen as Too Costly

Santa Barbara city officials are reviewing the $19,000 remodeling of an office in the Public Works Department -- along with the purchase of a $5,000 50-inch flat-screen television -- after the county's civil grand jury and the mayor received a complaint from a private citizen.

The dustup centers around the office of the city's water distribution superintendent and a recent installation of cutting-edge technology that allows the city to control its water-distribution system from one central location.

The plasma screen was part of a $98,000 project to track water supply, flow, distribution and other technical matters. The remodeling of the office -- called "elaborate" by the complaining citizen -- came from a separate city service fund, which included a new ceiling, new lights, a $1,300 conference table and two $200 chairs.

Posted by gandlwoods at October 14, 2004 07:22 AM