Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Taxpayers Petition Against Washington Township Budget And Tax Levy

Petitions are being circulated among Washington Township property taxpayers to challenge the 2009 budget and tax levy approved by the Washington Township Board on November 10. Specifically, the petition raises objections to the following: a $47,277 "Chief of Staff" position for the township (note--there is no staff to manage); the 69% pay raise the township board members just voted themselves; the $41,639 appropriated to pay health, dental, vision, life and disability benefits for Trustee Frank Short and the Chief of Staff; and other sums appropriated for legal services, other professional services and dues and seminars. The petition states that two resolutions adopted at the November 10 meeting were done so without advance notice to at least 3 of the township's board members. That included a 4% increase in township employee pay and the 69% board member pay raise. The petition notes that the higher tax levy approved by the township board comes at a time the rainy day fund has a $3.4 million balance.

4 comments:

Concerned Taxpayer said...

Perhaps someone in Wayne Township could do the same thing.

There, the trustee pays himself (well...the TAXPAYERS) pay him a package around $130,000 a year.

He also hired his brother as his "chief of staff" and pays him a package around $125,000 a year.

In addition, they took two new township cars that they have unlimited use of.

The trustee also pays his girlfriend $20 hour on a "contract" and is planning on hiring her fulltime next year.

I think he's trying to be Carl Drummer.

Sir Hailstone said...

Do we even know who this "Chief of Staff" even is? Or who Trustee Frank Short will name to the job?

Gary R. Welsh said...

Frank Short is a nice guy, but he's got that Chicago political blood in him and he just can't help it. I don't know who the chief of staff is Mike.

Jon E. Easter said...

Time to look at the benefits of keeping township government. If it doesn't benefit the township, then it should be tossed!