Hoodwinked

If I was asking someone to approve $1.7-something million tax levy for me I’d show up to their meeting. That is the courteous thing to do. I’d think it even more appropriate to be in attendance of a public hearing on my tax levy.

Nice guys finish last.

The DeKalb Public Library’s dynamic duo of Wendell Johnson (president) and Dee Coover (director) stayed away from the two public hearings and readings of their tax levy. They prefer to work behind closed doors. That way they don’t have to answer any questions from those annoying taxpayers.

With an assist from city attorney Norma Guess their strategy worked for now.

“The city council must approve the library levy without even a whimper,” says Guess (paraphrasing). “That’s the law.”

When cornered on her BS because on Nov. 24, 2008 she told the city council that it is up to Council what amount should be levied for the Library  — she told Mark Charvat she was wrong… then. What’s the opposite of an Inconvenient Truth?

Before I could get home from the meeting I got multiple calls from people upset with the incompetence wanting to lawyer up.

Mayor Kris Povlsen tried to diffuse or perhaps distract the anger. How about the library having its own taxing district? That way we can elect the trustees! DeKalb residents might first ask themselves how those other local elected bodies are working out for them.

Straight from the Bullshit Generator:

“We are levying an actual dollar amount instead of a rate because its more transparent.”

Here’s the straight scoop. The City of DeKalb used to levy a rate instead of an amount. It was the brainchild of Greg Sparrow. By levying a rate they were able to capture more new construction EAV dollars than they would otherwise get. Yes, by levying a rate they wouldn’t know exact dollars at levy time but they did by budget time. By levying an actual dollar amount they receive only that amount. When new construction is in full swing levying actual dollars could leave money on the table. No new construction? Declining EAV? Levy an amount.

The saga continues…