Vote Yes to Downsize the Walworth County Board on April 3rd
You have the power to control your government on April 3rd. The Walworth County Board is out of control. The effort to downsize has been driven by the County Board’s willingness to raise taxes without regard to the Walworth County resident’s willingness to pay. Last May, the board authorized up to a 10% tax increase. The watchdog group Citizens for Responsible Government Walworth County (CRG) mobilized citizens and the board backed down to 6.1%. This increase many find both fiscally irresponsible and out of control.
Here are eleven reasons to downsize:
1. When CRG finished their petition, this board brought in an outside attorney for consultation on how to stop the effort to downsize. And the taxpayers paid the bill.
2. This board has borrowed about $48,000,000. Debt service is now about $7,900,000 and will continue to increase. There are only two choices for the next 2-3 budget cycles. Cut services or raise taxes.
3. For the next 2-3 years there will be no significant road construction or major repairs to Walworth County roads, without raising taxes.
4. The board can not honor its commitments to its employees. There is insufficient money in the reserve lockbox accounts to cover the future retirement benefits of county employees.
5. According to the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance Study there is no discernable difference between a large board and a small board. Our large board is not working; it’s time for a small board.
6. Only about 8 supervisors consistently attend committee meetings. Committees of 5 to 7 members make the decisions, and then the board rubber stamps them.
7. Of 25 supervisors only 12 attended last year’s budget meetings.
2. This board has borrowed about $48,000,000. Debt service is now about $7,900,000 and will continue to increase. There are only two choices for the next 2-3 budget cycles. Cut services or raise taxes.
3. For the next 2-3 years there will be no significant road construction or major repairs to Walworth County roads, without raising taxes.
4. The board can not honor its commitments to its employees. There is insufficient money in the reserve lockbox accounts to cover the future retirement benefits of county employees.
5. According to the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance Study there is no discernable difference between a large board and a small board. Our large board is not working; it’s time for a small board.
6. Only about 8 supervisors consistently attend committee meetings. Committees of 5 to 7 members make the decisions, and then the board rubber stamps them.
7. Of 25 supervisors only 12 attended last year’s budget meetings.
8. With our system of administrative governance, only a small part time board is needed. Day to day operations are handled by the Administrator and hired or elected full time managers and their staff.
9. Our current committee system is outdated and cumbersome.
10. This board has formed its own political action group to preserve their part-time jobs.
9. Our current committee system is outdated and cumbersome.
10. This board has formed its own political action group to preserve their part-time jobs.
11. 11 supervisors can provide necessary direction for our County…saving $180,000
annually.
Do not believe the mistruth that Lakeland School may close. Lakeland School will not close because the construction contract bids were authorized on Monday the 19th of March 2007. The school will be constructed and the Walworth County is committed to operating Lakeland School for the next 10 years.
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