College of the Desert board votes to audit recent expansion projects

The College of the Desert board of trustees wants to take a close look at spending on all of its construction projects dating back as far as 2014.

COD's board of trustees voted Friday to adopt a resolution requesting a comprehensive forensic audit into all construction contracts awarded in the last 5 to 8 years.

This comes after a year of controversy over some of those projects and hundreds of millions of dollars in bond money that was approved by voters. Some COD board members said they hope an audit will create transparency and settle some of the controversy.

College documents show the audit is requested in response to public concerns over public funds being spent on campuses and facilities in Cathedral City, Coachella, Mecca/Thermal, Palm Desert and Palm Springs.

The documents state that concerns have been expressed about a lack of public transparency surrounding changes to project plans in for the Palm Springs expansion project and the cancelation and subsequent reinstatement of the Roadrunner Motors project in Cathedral City.

A subcommittee was established with Area 1 Trustee Rubén Pérez, who represents the east valley, and Area 3 Trustee Fred Jandt, who represents the west valley.

Pérez said he's not fully on board with community allegations of the college's so-called "shadow of secrecy."

"I can understand that, you know, there's always a need for more information," he said. "I don't share that same sentiment. I think that we've gone above and beyond to try to be as transparent as possible."

Pérez said the audit is aimed at uncovering irresponsible spending by the college's prior leadership.

"Really, we're just trying to see what's out there, where the the previous administration, in my opinion, where it is that they spent their money," he said.

Pérez was the incumbent in the Area 1 trustee election. He was sworn in Friday for his next 4-year term.