Practicing Fiscal Responsibility

Let me say that I will never promise that there will be no mistakes in city government, I will promise that if I find there are mistakes I will work with the city council to correct the results of those mistakes where possible, but more importantly I will to the best of my ability to try to put controls in place so those mistakes won't be repeated. As an example it was under my leadership and urging that the city council established an internal audit committee that operates as independently of the city administration as the city charter permits. It is an audit committee that is well staffed with reputable persons and has done an excellent job of auditing city departments and functions. It has also resulted in more controls and procedures put in place to reduce costly mistakes.

However Durham stills remains a fiscally responsible city and is one of only 34 cities in the nation rated with a triple A bond rating by the three (3) major Bond rating agencies in the country; Standard & Poors, Moodys and Fitch.  We have consistently received external auditor's report that is clean or an unqualified opinion with no material issues in the accompanying management letter.  Our Department of Housing has vastly improved in the audits received from HUD and I have been told is now being used as a model for other cities.

I also promise to continue to hold accountable those persons for which the city charter says we have direct authority. It is important to remind the public that we have a council manager form of government not a strong mayor form of government and any decisions about the city manager, city attorney or city clerk with respect to disciplinary actions are done by the full council voting as a majority and not by any one singe person. Although the mayor may be considered to be the first among equals, the mayor still has only one vote the same as every other council person.

William V. Bell Campaign Committee
P.O. Box 12535
Durham, NC 27709
(919) 768-2398