Go Lake Havasu's hiring of Susan Smith as CEO last fall highlighted serious deficiencies in the executive committee's due diligence. Had the committee vetted candidates thoroughly, it could have revealed that Mr. Smith was on leave from his previous job due to allegations about management. This oversight becomes even more problematic if the Commission is aware of these facts and chooses to ignore them.
Smith is likely a capable manager and will likely bring exciting new ideas to Go Lake Havasu. But past performance is the only metric you can use, and in this case, past performance has some big red flags.
The problem at hand is not isolated. In 2016, Go Lake Havasu was similarly plagued by coaching issues. Given that much of the organization's funding comes from taxpayers through special hotel and restaurant taxes, these recurring concerns call for increased public oversight and accountability.
The City of Lake Havasu is working to limit Go Lake Havasu's autonomy by imposing budget caps and requiring tougher contract negotiations. However, this falls short of comprehensive monitoring.
The city maintains a delicate balance with Go Lake Havasu, providing partial oversight while allowing the organization considerable independence due to its civilian status. This approach resulted in significant oversight gaps and reduced public accountability.
A lawsuit from a former employee that occurred around the same time as Mr. Smith's hiring process raises further concerns about the executive committee's review process and transparency.
Given this situation, it is critical that the City of Lake Havasu re-evaluate and strengthen its oversight role for Go Lake Havasu.
This should go beyond contractual obligations and include active participation in the day-to-day governance and operational oversight of the organization. Public institutions such as Go Lake Havasu and the Havasu Economic Development Partnership operate more effectively with public input and oversight.
Tourism is so important to Lake Havasu City's economy and its future that there is no need for greater direction.
Lake Havasu City residents need to become more actively involved in these processes, attend public meetings, and demand accountability. Tourism is a cornerstone of the local economy, making the integrity and performance of Go Lake Havasu important.
It is time for the City to take its oversight responsibilities seriously and ensure that Go Lake Havasu is operated transparently and in the public interest.
