A.V. to manage finances for SCLA board

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Mar. 26--A P P L E VA L L EY

--Tow n co u n c i l m e m -- bers expressed distrust of their neighboring city Tuesday night as they approved transferring financial management of a regional board that oversees Southern Ca l i fo r n i a L o g i s t i c s Airport from Victorville to Apple Valley.

"It's in our best interest to take this on and do the job," Councilman Scott Nassif said before the vote.

M e m b e rs o f t h e Victor Valley Economic Development Authority requested the shift two weeks ago, citing concerns over Victorville's recent unfavorable audit and the risk the city's financial position poses to the shared pot of money.

The change will cost the town an estimated $12,500 in annual expenditures to prepare financial statements. The council briefly debated whether to ask that the VVEDA member agencies share that cost. However, Town Manager Frank Robinson advised the council that the $12,500 annual expense is a small amount to pay to protect the $2.5 million or so the town gets from VVEDA each year.

VVEDA is expected to call a special meeting in the next week or so to discuss suggestions by Brad Mitzelfelt -- VVEDA Chairman and San Bernardino County 1st District supervisor -- to also transfer attorney services, administrative oversight and the location away from Victorville.