In the evening of 27 November, about 100 county taxpayers were treated to a “truth in taxation” (sic) meeting, hosted by the county commission. The administrator delivered his standard lecture assuring us that we were under-taxed and over-served with all the charm he could muster, given his obvious contempt of the people by whom he is employed. The commission chairman tried to keep the sweating masses in line by threatening to end the meeting if they dared express approval of speaker’s statements. Her success was minimal. All in all, the entire evening was a stunning display of arrogance by our commission chairman and her hireling.
The meeting is a procedural necessity required by state law. While public comments are “solicited,” the commission neither responds nor offers any explanations of their budgetary intentions, other than to continue raising taxes. Public input cannot be incorporated into a previously completed decision-making process.
All was not a total loss, however, since we learned that at least three commissioners are members of the YMCA. This presents a significant problem since their voting on matters affecting the Y constitutes a conflict of interest, at least in the rest of the state…
I do not believe the commissioners are stupid. On the contrary, they have an agenda they intend to accomplish, regardless of its economic effect on the public. They just aren’t sharing it with the people being forced to pick up the tab. Remember that on election day, which can’t come soon enough.
Nevin D. Holmberg
Hovland
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