(Board of Supervisors take action)....It was to publicly censure the County Auditor-Controller.

The action was taken at this weeks Board meeting. The Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution to censure Auditor-Controller Josue G. Mercado for neglecting to fulfill the duties of Auditor-Controller, and to remind him that as a county officer, he nmust faithfully execute all the duties required of him under applicable state and local laws. The action comes after County Administration received complaints alleging that Mercado failed to responbd to inquiries and requests for information from Standards & Poor's Global Ratings concerning County fiscal policies and procedures, resulting in a pending lowering of the rating of the County-issued certificates of participation. The County discovered S7P had made numerous attempts to contact Mercado to request information to assist in establishing a rating for the County's COPs. Due to Mercado's lack of responce, the County COPs were lowered, causing a potentially significant negative impact on the County finances, exacerbating the anticipated negative fiscal impacts of the COVID 19 pandemic. Mercado was offered an opportunity to respond to the allegations and othes, but failed to respond to the County Executive Officer.