A couple of months ago, I heard a term which I had never heard before and did not know its meaning. I had to look it up. I heard it as “Tax Capacity”… but this is what the search turned up:
Definition and Explanation of Taxable Capacity: The concept of taxable capacity has been defined differently by different economists: “It is the optimum taxability of a nation, the maximum amount of taxation that can be raised and spent on the economic welfare in that community.”
So now I know what the abbreviated “tax capacity” means. I heard the term being used by Cook County’s county administrator, Jeff Cadwell. The context of its use suggested Cook County has plenty of room for upward taxation and increased tax levies. I wonder how many of you reading this would agree with, and will be “okay” with, more increased taxation? How about those of you piecing together three jobs to cover your household needs? How about you fixed income folks, you retirees? And what about young moms and dads with kids?
Personally, I have come to believe that leveraging (promoting) the “tax capacity” idea in Cook County, is simply a “justification” to tax and spend without restraint. Several examples come to mind.
The first item I think of is the large pay and compensation increases given to department heads at the county offices. My concern is not with those that received the increases, but it is with the procedure that granted these raises. Some increases were at or near 25 percent.
When was your last 25 percent pay raise? Jeff Cadwell’s pay has increased from $85,000 to $119,750 in just four years, a raise of $34,750, or 41 percent in four years.
Likewise, the total annual payroll at the county has grown $1,831,645 over those same four years.
Secondly, please consider the effort to build a new jail (Cook County Law Enforcement Center) estimated to cost $5 plus million when two reputable, objective sources determined a new jail in Cook County is unnecessary. My concern is the illegitimate method to justify a new LEC. Just a reminder, the LEC issue is not dead. The administrator and commissioners are dragging their feet on this topic. Not a word on the item since the Town Hall meeting on the issue in May.
The taxpayer and voter expect an update now, not tomorrow. Their strategy is to “wait us out,” hoping the taxpayer and voter forgets this issue, and then the administrator and the commissioners will go forward with the $5 million plan.
Thirdly I offer the project and expense of a new county highway garage contracted and scheduled soon. The expected cost is $1.1 to $1.3 million. This too is wasteful. The existing garage, in fact, could use a little TLC, and a little maintenance and repair expense. It does not need to be bulldozed. It does not need a new well. The contract to build it should be canceled, pay the penalty, then give the building the TLC which it does need. Save the cash for something real.
Since Jeff Cadwell came to the county and assumed the administrator office, the county levy has increased from $6.45 million to $9.8 million (2015 to 2019) an increase of $3.45 million or 52 percent. Jeff Cadwell presumes that each year the base increase in the levy is 5.99 percent and likely will be above that. Why? Why can it not be zero?
Additionally, the YMCA is funded to the tune of $300,000 per year, through the levy. This is a 25-year commitment structured by our county administrator. At a minimum, it is regrettable. Although I am not a user or member of the “Y,” I know it is very important to many, and I am glad it is here. Even as a nonprofit, should it not stand on its own two legs?
The proposed and contracted projects are the kinds of things that begin to change the fabric of what Cook County is. Cook County is a “jewel” for which many give up much to live in. The desire to have Cook County become like Ramsey County or Hennepin County is highly objectionable.
Now I’d like to ask the reader to go and watch the county commissioners’ meeting of June 11th (last 10 minutes of the meeting are the important moments), and also watch the June 18th thirteen minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting (this is on YouTube under Cook County MN).
These two meetings will show the reader, the taxpayer, and the voter how the commissioners and the administrator relate … who reports to whom. By statute, the administrator reports to the chair of the commission, Ginnie Storlie. You will never get that understanding after you view the two meetings I suggest. Administrator Cadwell is running Cook County rather than the commissioners. This is no longer Cook County, but Cadwell County. This needs to be remedied.
Jeff Cadwell is within 60 days of his annual review. Call your commissioner and ask that Jeff Cadwell be relieved of his position.
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