Monday, November 27, 2006
More politicking between Kelso, Board
The constant bickering between the Brown County Board of Supervisors and County Executive Carol Kelso has reached an all-time high. First, we hear that county residents could delay property tax bills into 2007, which would mean taxpayers couldn't claim them in their 2006 tax returns.
The delay could affect some taxpayers' Christmas shopping funds and federal income tax deductions. Many taxpayers get an annual check from a mortgage escrow account in December to pay their property taxes. If the taxes owed are less than the escrow check, the extra is often used for Christmas gifts, said Kerry Blaney, county treasurer.
"We think it will be about a week later, but we'll do everything possible to get it done quickly," Blaney said.
A delay would not be Blaney's fault. He handles printing and mailing the bills, but he waits for information from the schools, county and cities telling him how much money they need next year. It looks like the Brown County Board won't finish its 2007 budget process until Dec. 5.
County Executive Carol Kelso and County Board Chairman Tom Lund traded barbs Friday about who is at fault for the delay. Kelso proposed a $243 million budget on Oct. 13. The board adopted it with changes a month later in a 22-3 vote.
But that isn't the end of the process. Kelso gets a chance to veto any part of the budget now, and the County Board gets another chance to overturn the vetoes, which requires another board meeting.
Weeks ago, the board set that meeting for Nov. 29. But two board members —
Guy Zima and Paul Zeller — couldn't make the meeting, Lund said. He decided to delay it until Dec. 5. But at least one board member — Dan Haefs — said he can't make it on Dec. 5.On Friday, Lund said he would make a final decision about the timing of the veto session by Monday, but he needs to know whether Kelso plans any vetoes.
"If Ms. Kelso delivers her decision on vetoes to my office by Monday, we will still be on schedule," Lund said. "But if I don't know by Monday, we have no choice but to delay the final meeting."
Kelso issued a news release Friday criticizing the board for the delay. In a phone interview, Lund responded by criticizing Kelso for waiting until Oct. 13 to propose her budget, which starts the budget process. The board had asked Kelso to submit her budget by Oct. 1 to speed things up.
Kelso's news release didn't say whether she plans any vetoes. The delay would only be necessary if she vetoes something. The board needs a two-thirds majority to override a veto.
Now, Kelso has given her vetoes to the county board and they will take a vote on them Wednesday night.
“I believe the taxpayers expect us to continue our services while not adding staff or unneeded expenses,” Kelso said.
Kelso proposed a $243 million budget on Oct. 13. The board adopted it with changes a month later in a 22-3 vote. The result was a budget that raises the property tax levy about $2.4 million over last year and $711,890 above Kelso's proposal. The county's auditor estimated the board's action added around $4 per $100,000 of equalized home value.
Kelso said her six vetoes would save a total of $1 million. The nursing home veto would further a plan to reduce the beds from the current level of around 72 down to 40 by August. Currently the nursing home has around 55 patient-residents.
The size of the nursing home is the subject of a lawsuit between the board and Kelso. The board has voted overwhelmingly to continue running the nursing home at its current size next year.
Kelso said she is particularly concerned about ending a downsizing agreement with the state that her administration had signed two years ago. The county has been banking on $2.4 million in special funds because of the agreement.
Supervisors John Vanderleest, Andy Nicholson and Mary Scray were the only dissenting votes on the final passage of the board’s budget. But specific items in the budget had less support.
Kelso’s other five vetoes are:
- Cut $350,000 to resurface 1.5 miles of County Z that is rated in poor condition. Kelso said the resurfacing should wait until a larger stretch can be funded in 2008.
- Cut a staff position in County Board office. The board had added one position to help research County Board action.
- Restore a staff position the board cut from the Human Services Department. Kelso called the position critical to the department’s operations.
- Cut salary for 911 director. Kelso said the board was raising the salary above the level recommended by the county’s own compensation scales.
- Restore a policy to keep studying a countywide upgrade for emergency radio communications.
I tend to agree with each of the vetos that she had made. It makes sense to pave roads when they are needed and financially able. Paving a short section of road in the southern most part of the county doesn't make sense either.
So while both the board and the executive have fought probably their last battle, where does it leave the taxpayers? Shaking their heads. We elect these people to represent our interests, not to fight amongst the different branches of local government.
I will be proud to elect a new county executive this April.
Labels: Brown County
