Coral Gables to audit city’s Amazon purchases after county school board member’s arrest
The Coral Gables City Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to audit Amazon purchases made over the past two years using city purchasing cards, or p-cards, after a series of recent transactions that included fitness drinks, a magnifying mirror and blue light blocking glasses raised concerns.
City Commissioner Ariel Fernandez initially proposed a discussion about the city’s process for vetting p-card purchases to address resident concerns following the arrest of former Miami-Dade County School Board vice chair Lubby Navarro, who prosecutors allege spent over $92,000 using her school-issued credit card to buy items for herself, friends and family. (Navarro’s arrest has no connection to Coral Gables.)
But Fernandez said he grew increasingly concerned when he received documentation on Tuesday showing recent Amazon purchases made by city employees, including a clothing steamer, pots and pans, a double-burner cooker, multiple sets of silverware, resume portfolio folders, a magnifying mirror, blue light blocking glasses, Celsius fitness drinks, smartphone accessories and a lint roller, among other items.
“That just doesn’t make any sense to me. Why would any department approve a clothing steamer for staff?” Fernandez said. “From what was presented this morning, I’m a little concerned.”
Celeste Walker-Harmon, chief procurement officer for the city, said employees go through training for p-card usage and that department directors must approve their purchases.
“Each and every charge is actually required to be reviewed and signed off by the department director,” Walker-Harmon said. She said the purchases then go to her department: “And we do another audit to make sure again that the rules were followed.”
“They’re reviewed thoroughly as far as compliance is concerned,” she said, adding that the city conducts monthly reviews of employee purchases. Prohibited purchases include personal items, alcohol, ammunition, medical services, gifts and donations, services at beauty spas, independent travel charges and purchases over $1,000, according to Walker-Harmon.
Finance Director Diana Gomez noted that some of the purchases Fernandez listed could be for city events, like a clothing steamer used for tablecloths, for example. She added that departments typically include a description as to why an item is needed if it’s not self-explanatory.
Commissioner Kirk Menendez expressed caution about the audit, although he ultimately joined his commissioners in voting for it.
“I don’t think it’s fair to drag people that perhaps did nothing wrong and yet we cast a light upon them that sways public opinion in a way that’s not correct, under the circumstances,” Menendez said.
The commission voted to give the city three months to conduct its audit.
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