A business organization has called Mexicali City Council members to turn down expenses for consultants and public benefits.

The Entrepreneurial Coordinating Council has requested each Council member and the Comptroller to comply with the austerity agreement signed two years ago.

According to the business organization, the Comptroller’s office spending increased 17.5 percent to 38.2 million pesos from 32 million.

The expenditure is about $1.9 million.

The Entrepreneurial Council said Council members normally hire relatives and friends as consultants leaving little to no benefit for the public.

Council expenditures for consultants and public benefits climbed 30 percent to 65.6 million pesos from 49.6 million. The organization seeks a response in five days to the request to stop spending about 165,000 pesos or close to $8,000 per month in consultants and public giveaways.