City government says every year that it is saving money, yet costs continue to increase.
Voters were led to believe the primary reason for the utility tax was for the library and streets. Street sweeping has been cut in half and funding for the senior center and other items decreased, while at the same time the Tom O Leary-Linda Sarver council majorities gave pay raises to public employee groups who supported their elections. Per capita cost of compensation of already generously paid public safety employees has sky-rocketed. In the meantime, staff levels have increased and service levels have not improved. For years citizens in Covina who want responsible government have asked the city for a management audit.