Editor’s note: Lloyd Speck went over his five minute limit at the Truth in Taxation meeting and had to step away from the microphone. Auditor/ Treasurer Braidy Powers said Speck’s numbers are correct in this piece. Here is what he had to say to the county board in its entirety.
I’m not here tonight because I want to be, but I know lots of other people will be forced out of this county if the reckless spending does not stop.
I was brought up to believe when things aren’t right, you do something about it.
What happened last year when commissioners set the levy at 17.5 percent, it did not reflect actual operating expenses and I can prove it.
Before the levy was set, the county’s union negotiating committee, which consisted of County Administrator Jeff Cadwell, commissioners Sivertson and Doo-Kirk, did not ask the county’s Auditor-Treasurer, to run the numbers on the longevity pay increases. When talking with the other three county commissioners, they said they knew nothing about the huge pay increases.
In my opinion, and the opinion of many others, the negotiating team on behalf of taxpayers betrayed the public’s trust by not disclosing the real cost for these raises.
On January 9th and 23rd County Administrator Cadwell brought union contracts before the board of commissioners for final approval without presenting documentation to commissioners as to what it was going to cost taxpayers.
When Commissioner Storlie asked for documentation, Cadwell said, “I have documentation right here if you care to look at it.” Commissioner Doo- Kirk then spoke up and told commissioner Storlie, “When commissioners sit on a committee and bring a recommendation to the full board, you just accept the recommendation without questioning.”
On August 14th, 2018, County Administrator Cadwell came before the board to adjust the 2018 budget to the staggering sum of $378,225. County commissioners approved the request without questioning anything. Unbelievable!
Money was taken out of the reserve fund, which in the years that Cadwell has been our administrator, the reserve fund has always been viewed as “sacred.” In fact, he has accused previous administrations who borrowed from the reserve fund as being irresponsible.
Had payroll increases been figured into the 2018 operating budget, it would have increased our levy another 5.4 percent, which would have been a whopping 22.3 percent levy instead of 17.5 percent.
Cook County’s average levy over the past three years is 3 1/2 times higher than the state average.
We were promised a few years back–after being hit with double-digit levies–and I’m using Mr. Cadwell’s own words here– “the regular budget can be supported with a planned levy increase of approximately 4.3 percent annually going forward.”
The sad part of this is that our levy last year could have been set at 1 percent, if the outlandish pay raises hadn’t been approved. Many employees have expressed to me the fact that they are actually embarrassed with the huge increases.
If Lake County can set their 2019 levy at 2 percent, and they are shooting for 0 percent, why can’t this board?
When the county decided to hire a county administrator we were told at a public meeting held May 22, 2013 that it would “save us money, reduce costs and taxes.”
The opposite has been true.
Since Mr. Cadwell stepped into the position, a little over three years ago, he has been setting new records for foolhardy spending of taxpayer dollars.
It’s pretty obvious; when it comes to making decisions, the majority of you folks are driven more by your egos than objective thought.
People I talk to are gettin’ plumb tuckered out fighting Cook County!
We need to leave more money in the hands of the people who earned it because we are always more responsible at spending it than you pompous politicians have demonstrated.
You claim this is “Truth-in-taxation.” An opportunity to make taxpayers aware of tax rate proposals and to give us a shot at rolling back or limiting tax increases.
Last year this courthouse was packed with taxpayers who showed up to voice their opinions and you flat out didn’t listen to a one of us!
If things don’t change, you WILL bankrupt this county!
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