Members of the San Jose City Council asked that city staff research the feasibility of a hotline last November. San Jose's version of the fraud and audit hotline will operate for one year on a trial basis, after which the council will decided whether to make it permanent.

Whistleblowers will be able to leave messages or send emails via the hotline, which will initially be screened by Director of Employee Relations Alex Gurza, who works for the city manager's office. Gurza will then deliver a bare-bones version of the message that strips out names and other confidential information to the city auditor's office.

City Auditor Gerry Silva will use the stripped-down tips to build a database of complaints. The database will be considered public record since identifying information will be removed, Silva said. "And I'm sure there's a point when I'll see everything," Silva added. "Also, some tips may come in to my office."

City staff surveyed 10 cities in California and throughout the United States to find the best hotline model for San Jose. They settled on one operated by the city of Phoenix, Ariz.

"That worked for us because it seemed to be the best compromise between a hotline residing in the administration's office versus one residing in the auditor's office," said Silva. "Some calls will be better handled by the administration--sexual harassment, workplace discrimination, things like that."

Once a month Silva, Gurza and City Attorney Rick Doyle will meet to review tips and evaluate how each has been resolved. At the end of the year they'll release a report to the city council. At that time the council will also vote on whether to keep the hotline.

San Jose city council members asked that city staff research the feasibility of a hotline last November in the wake of a string of city hall scandals. The Rules Committee recommended approval of the hotline on March 23.