The Landmark discovered that the village of Brookfield has failed in its responsibility regarding the library tax levy. Despite the claims by the village administration that this is “just another bill,” the Landmark accurately points out that documents obtained from the Cook County Clerk’s tax extension Web site appear to indicate that the village could not have levied the full amount owed to the library.
This failure by the village administration was hushed up and slid thru on the warrant at the village board meeting Nov. 10, with not a word of discussion by the village board. Could this failure to conduct the requirements necessary for the library tax levy be part of the reason that the first finance director quit after less than two months on the job?
For all those taxpayers who doubt the conspiracy of silence theory, consider this. The village Web site was down Nov. 10 and no one could access the warrants that day to see the payment to the library.
The village manager received a 7.5-percent pay increase in 2007 and a 7.5-percent pay increase in 2008. One of the reasons given by Brookfield officials to justify these large pay increases was his competence and professionalism. The library tax levy and other curious happenings question his possessions of either of these qualities.
The village of Brookfield had to take out a $ 3.2 million line of credit in 2007 and a $3 million line of credit in 2008 to pay bills in anticipation of the tax monies due. The need for these lines of credit demonstrates a definite lack of cash on hand. It appears there is a need for better management.
Tim Heilenbach
Brookfield
Tim Heilenbach is a candidate for village trustee on the VIP Party ticket.