It was inevitable; once Moe was out of the picture– chose to resign his position as county commissioner–we would be left with the plunderbund of “Eenie, Meenie and Miney.”
Eenie, Meenie and Miney–originating from the rhyme used as a way of selecting someone to take a role that is different from others– have certainly seized a character that is decidedly different from that of Mr. Moe. Moe wouldn’t buckle. He would at least ask the probing, difficult questions and demand answers; but then Moe had previous experience as an elected public servant and understood the role and responsibilities entrusted to him, as such.
While the county’s administrator claims, “We’ve cut to the bone!” the only thing associated with bone, when it comes to county budget decisions, is the marrow being extracted from taxpayers.
Don’t believe me?
Consider the following moves made by this governing body since the onset of 2017:
They scrapped the original agreement to cap contributions to the YMCA at $110,000 ($100,000 toward operations and $10,000 to be invested in a capital improvement fund) and signed a new 25-year contract— contrary to the county maintenance director’s recommendation to go with a 3-5 year contract (to allow for evaluation)— obligating taxpayers to cover all costs associated with the building and its maintenance. Originally, maintenance was to be the responsibility of the school. So, where are we at? 2017 ended with a $201,000 payout; the 2018 budget catapults this figure to $300,000!
They scrapped the citizen defined application process for the “discretionary” or “non-mandated levy fund” (means commissioners no longer go through a process of evaluation, based on priorities and available funds) and rolled approximately $130,000 into Public Health & Human Services; thereby designating them as “mandatory”…no longer subject to the scrutiny or oversight of the board.
I am willing to wager the county—given the recently negotiated employee “bargaining” agreements, through the year 2020—doled out the largest single pay increases in the county’s 144-year history!
While other counties are managing escalating operating costs and declining intergovernmental funds (revenues received from other government agencies in the form of grants, entitlements, or shared revenues) through responsible attrition (reduction of work force through resignations or retirement), we continue to add staff, creating new positions.
According to statistics from the MN State Auditor’s Minnesota County Finances reports–pub- lished April 1, 2015 and March 22, 2018—Cook County’s budget expenditures for general government (administration costs of county governments, including salaries of county officials and maintenance of buildings) experienced an increase of 12.27 percent from 2013 to 2018. 5.04 percent occurred from 2013 through 2017, while this year’s 2018 budget is responsible for 6.9 percent of this increase. In other words, the county experienced a 1 percent increase annually for the five years from 2013 to 2017, and a 6.9 percent increase heading into 2018.
Out of the state’s 87 counties, Cook County commissioners consistently approve one of the highest annual tax levies–last year we were the highest and in 2017 we came in second highest.
Ever since the Minnesota Center for Fiscal Excellence (MCFE) began comparing–in 2012–how local governments’ fiscal footprints differ across the state, Cook County has held the dubious distinction of having the highest cost of government per person than the 86 other counties within the state. That’s a fact! (See February 11, 2017 column: “Comparing Minnesota’s Price of Local Government.”)
Findings from the 2017 Cook County Taxpayer Survey showed 63.5 percent of respondents disagreed with the statement: “the county board does a good job of looking for ways to address county need without raising taxes.” (See September 9, 2017 column: “A Tale of Two Counties”; September 16, 2017 column: “Public Opinion and Government”)
But–and this is a huge conjunction here–do they listen to public opinion? Seems to me– once again enlisting a phrase from the aforementioned nursery rhyme—“if he [taxpayers] holler…make ’em pay!”
Isn’t that the truth…contrary to their crafted rhetoric!
Now is not the time to leave the upcoming election of county commissioners to happenstance.
Don’t approach this election by employing a rhyme intended to help folks when selecting someone to take a role different from those who presently represent you. Do your homework. Read the interviews in the News Herald and get to know the candidates. Better yet, give them a call and find out who they are, what they value, and where they stand on the various issues that matter to you. Your opportunity for change–as they say–is just ’round the corner. Don’t miss it!
The Primary Election will be held in Cook County on August 14, 2018. Vote. Do your part to make sure the candidate you support appears on the November ballot.
Let’s begin to address this Eenie, Meenie and Miney stuff…
Former Cook County Commissioner Garry Gamble is writing this ongoing column about the various ways government works, as well as other topics.
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