Previously we noted that any city incorporated in Illinois would be entitled to all the powers outlined in the Municipal Code. We also touched upon the likelihood that a city created in CWL would have no assets upon incorporation due to our covenants barring dedication of our community property to public use. Now a glimpse at money and politicians:
The state projects a $13 billion budget deficit this year. According to the Financial Times, Illinois needs to borrow $8 billion over the next two years just to tread water. In the last two weeks two out of the three major bond rating agencies, Moody’s and Fitch, have lowered the state’s bond rating. A Fitch analyst comments: “Now they (Illinois) are relying on deficit borrowing…There doesn’t seem to be an end game”
The incorporation group’s latest end game depicts a new city functioning solely on state funding. Yet headline after depressing headline describes municipality after municipality hammered by short falls in state revenue. The state is currently 5 months and $500 million behind on payments to municipalities with the primary source of those payments, income tax receipts, declining 8% this year. In March, the governor requested a 30% cut in the allocation of that revenue to municipalities. Many municipalities including some of our neighbors have already budgeted for the cuts.
Expecting to survive on state funding during this historic budget crisis could be like hanging on a life raft expecting to be rescued by the Titanic. Can we reasonably believe the leaders of a new city born penniless amid a statewide financial calamity would wait patiently half the year for uncertain state payouts and not contemplate borrowing and taxing to raise revenue?
The first city council would be responsible for critical initial decisions regarding borrowing money, instituting taxes and creating ordinances. And who would that be? No one really knows.
The first mayor and aldermen would be selected by a judge. The judge would choose from “qualified” candidates who submitted petitions. Multiple slates of candidates with divergent agendas would be likely in Candlewick. Even the smaller communities of Caledonia and Garden Prairie had competing slates of candidates upon incorporation.
Essential governance decisions would be made by future city officials whose identities would be unknown to us in November. A vote to incorporate would be a vote for an unknown judge to choose unknown candidates to chart a course through unknown waters – launching an unneeded layer of government.
To trust that faceless politicians would exercise their authority wisely, constructively work with the association to preserve our community and not plunge CWL into a quagmire of municipal debt and increased taxes seems a monumental stretch of faith.
Far better in uncertain times to stick with our proven winners: a tight-fisted budget with healthy reserves; an efficient and dedicated staff; competent management; a beautiful, friendly, private community; a strong association supported by volunteerism; and an elected, hard working board of directors.
Randy Budreau