Orange County’s independently-elected Auditor-Controller Eric H. Woolery, CPA, recognized Newport Beach Mayor Pro-Tem Will O’Neill with a coveted Taxpayer Watchdog Award.
“As a Member of Newport Beach’s Finance Committee and City Council, Will O’Neill has actively worked to find aggressive pro-active solutions to looming pension challenges in Newport Beach,” Woolery said. He added, “All communities would benefit from having Watchdogs like Will O’Neill in public leadership keeping a close eye on Taxpayer funds.”
O’Neill, who began championing fiscal responsibility and transparency as a Member of the City of Newport Beach’s Finance Committee, – has continued to provide leadership on financial matters since his election to the City Council in 2016.
“Pro-active attention to pensions are critical as our liabilities continue to grow” said Mayor Pro-Tem O’Neill. He added, “I’m proud of the stance Newport Beach has taken to have the public’s interest and Taxpayer dollars constantly on our minds.”
Mayor Pro-Tem O’Neill joins a list of Taxpayer Watchdogs that includes attorney and former County Public Financing Advisory Council (PFAC) Chairwoman Lisa Hughes, longtime County Audit Oversight Committee (AOC) Chairman Dr. David Carlson, Senator Patricia Bates, County Treasurer Shari
Freidenrich, former Sutter County Auditor-Controller Robert Stark, Irvine Mayor Donald P. Wagner, Huntington Beach Mayor Mike Posey, Huntington Beach City Treasurer Alisa Cutchen, Cypress Mayor Pro-Tem Stacy Berry, Orange County Taxpayers Association CEO Carolyn Cavecche, and others.
