Sheriff Scott was right

Below was on NBC2 this morning. After seeing this I support the Sheriff in giving back 1.5 million to the county. I still dont agree with the bonus but hopfully that will work out in the end.

LEE COUNTY -
Lee County commissioners are trying to figure out how to dish out money from a slim budget. They're meeting Monday for the next budget workshop. And while no decisions have been made, some groups are already fighting to hold on to their piece of the pie.

Letters are arriving in Lee County commissioners' offices, reminding them that behind all of the budget numbers are some very real faces.

"There are mental health services that would be affected and substance abuse would be affected," said Judy Workman, a volunteer with Zonta, an organization that supports women in the community.

She explained many of Zonta's projects also receive county founding.

"One of the things that concerned us was these programs all took a cut last year," Workman said.

So this year, Zonta is being proactive. Officials there are trying to keep their money through the power of the pen.

But as the letters keep coming in, Lee County commissioners Brian Bigelow and Frank Mann are asking to see what the budget would look like with a $30-million trim.

County staff is crunching the numbers and preparing several alternatives for commissioners to review at Monday's workshop.

One of those options will include a budget with $30-million in cuts.

Since the 2007-2008 fiscal year, the tax base has dropped 45-percent. That year, Lee County brought in $462-million from property taxes.

Last year, it was $252-million

So, the question for many is whether a $30-million cut is really necessary?

County staff members we spoke with say no.

Staff is projecting flat revenue this year, then a modest increase of two-percent for the next four years.

Throughout the recession, commissioners refused to raise taxes. So depressed property values now mean the county is working with half the money it had before the bust.

It's money that Workman says she hopes commissioners can stretch.

"These people are the most vulnerable and they are the neediest in our community," she said.

I agree. If we don't make drastic cuts to services budgets how will we ever be able to afford a third major league baseball team, median beautification to enhance our view while we drive around searching for a job or be able to buy unbuildable land at inflated prices to protect it from development that can't happen on it anyway? We workers should be ashamed to demand a living wage and decent benefits that might jeopardise the County's pet projects budget.

http://www.news-press.com/article/20120620/SPORTS/306200022/Lee-County-Commissioners-OK-Minnesota-Twins-spring-training-stadium-deal?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Home
Four Lee County commissioners Tuesday approved a deal with the Minnesota Twins without discussing the financial obligations that will accompany it.


The county has money to blow on useless things. They have been getting discounted sheriff's services for generations. The end is near and we demand to be paid fairly for the work we provide. I don't care if they have to raise taxes to fund the step-plan, but don't give us the piss poor excuse of not having money, then like the other posted said, spending millions on median decorations, road construction, land purchases, 2 baseball teams!


Here is the break down of mosquito control taxes

What are you paying for mosquito control in Lee County?

The tax rate for Lee County Mosquito Control District is 0.2388 mills, therefore you pay about 24 cents for every thousand dollars of property value. A property valued at $100,000 would pay $23.88 for mosquito control this year. The millage rate allows the District to collect $13 million dollars this year, not the $22 million dollars that keeps being reported in the media. The District does not spend $22 million dollars each year. Lee County Mosquito Control District has funds in reserve which when combined with the annual collections add up to $21.5 million. The reserve funds are set aside for future capital projects, self-insurance, emergency operating funds and other future liabilities. The cost of mosquito control to the taxpayer over the last ten years has actually declined slightly even with the significant fluctuations of land prices and the rise and fall of other tax assessments. The Board has endeavored to take roll back most years and keep cost to the taxpayer fairly consistent. A Lee County homeowner with property valued at $100,000 in 2002 paid about $36 for mosquito control. A Lee County homeowner today with a property valued at 100,000 will pay about $24 for mosquito control.

13,000,000 (total) / 23.88 (per 100,000) = 544,388
For example, if you increase tax bills by 10 dollars x 544,388 = $5,443,880 That's about $5 million dollars that can be used to fund the salaries of the sheriff's office employees! It is absolutely unacceptable when people call 911 and the deputy who responds to their emergency is on food stamps.