From the Rockford Register-Star (online excerpt)
BELVIDERE — The Boone County Board by a 6-5 vote approved a balanced fiscal 2011 budget plan this evening, and it had to slash $400,000 in spending and recalibrate its various tax levies to get there.
You have to love the wording used to make actions seems less ominous. Recalibrate?
Do you suppose that could possibly mean raise the levies? Taxing bodies, let’s report the facts without the political spin. That is one of the problems with politics, few simple facts in plain English. Ken
OTHER NOTES:
Roscoe is cutting back their road repair budget by $100,000.00 this year so they can afford to buy road salt. Good for them, working with available funds. That is a problem now for almost all cities, not enough funding.
Poplar Grove is scrambling to find a way to continue the contract with the sheriff’s department for extra protection after the question of a tax increase was voted down by the residents. Tough times for all.
Rockford is in such bad financial shape they are going to lay off many police officers. The firemen have asked for over a 14% increase in pay after refusing requested concessions. Without concessions even more police will have to be let go. Could get ugly!
These are just some of many, many examples of financial crises most cities face. Candlewick does not need to be among their number. Vote NO on the question regarding incorporation you will be receiving soon in your mail box and urge your friends and neighbors to do the same. Let’s stay safe and solvent.
Ken Dillenburg