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Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Grand Forks County Gets Greedy

By The Whistler on November 28, 2007 at 06:13 pm
7 Comments
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Unbelievable:

The Grand Forks County Commission wants to enact a 1-percent county sales tax to pay for the county jail.

If approved, a sales tax would reduce county property taxes by 8.26 to 10 mills, cut the time it will take to pay off the jail from 17 years to 4 years and save the county as much as $3.5 million in interest payments.

Grand Forks County has to rank as one of the most dysfunctional entities in the state.  Much of this problem results from the county commissions decision to go into the business of making money by running a jail.  Of course we need a jail, but we sure don’t want to make it our business. 

But the county commission went ahead and built a jail anyway.  They said they didn’t have to ask the voters for permission since “it wasn’t going to cost the taxpayers anything.” Turns out they didn’t know what they were talking about.  Their projections consisted of assumptions that if we build it they will come.  And they’ll (federal prison administration) will pay them a lot more money.  Of course they’re assumptions were wrong.  And of course the county commission didn’t take any responsibility for the error they were responsible for and blamed the jail administrator.  (Who was I’m sure somewhat at fault.)

So know we’re stuck with an huge bill for a jail we didn’t need.  So of course the county commission did the responsible thing and did they’re best to cut costs.  Just kidding.  According to my source the county commission didn’t make any budget cuts and decided to stick it to the taxpayer.  Oh and while they were at it they decided to add a couple mills on just to cover some other expenses.  That’s in addition to the increased revenue that they would have gotten from just increased valuations.

Here’s a great article by GF Herald Reporter Tu-Uyen Tran on the tax situation.  If you want the details on the tax hikes go here.

The bottom line is that the county needs to figure out how they’re going to pay for the jail.  I’ll give them a hint.  Since 1997 the county’s increased spending from property tax reciepts 72% (Source AFP’s GF study).  Inflation over that time was 24.2 percent.

Roll back your spending back to those levels (inflation adjusted) and we’ll be just fine.  Almost half the size of their budget has come from growth in the last 10 years.  And you know what, the population of the county’s actually gone down over that time.

Note to county commission, quit being so greedy.

Comments

Kevin

Where’s their sugga Momma, Joan Kroc?

Kevin on November 28, 2007 at 08:22 pm
The Whistler

For the majority that doesn’t get it, right after the flood Joan Kroc donated $15,000,000 to go to the people.  Of course the city governments being crackerjacks figured out that every household should get $2,000. 

The problem is that she would have had to donate more like $25,000,000 or more to cover that many people.

So some people got money and some didn’t.  Neighborhoods away from the worst damage got the money and neighborhoods where the water was deep didn’t.

Just an example of the brainfuls that we have.

BTW:  The EGF mayor figured it out and he saw to it that nearly all the EGF people got their money.

What’s going to happen to US industry when the global warming extremists like John McCain double the price of electricity?  I would think all these factories will close and set up in countries where they aren’t scared of technology.

The Whistler's signature
The Whistler on November 28, 2007 at 08:31 pm
gilbyguy

From the article:

In a special meeting today, the County Board approved spending $11,860 to conduct a telephone survey to gauge county residents’ opinions on a sales tax. The Social Science Research Institute at UND will conduct the telephone survey, which likely will begin next week.

“The purpose of the survey is to see what the feelings are of the residents,” Malm said.

The survey will include 593 telephone interviews.

Hey GF County ... I’ll save you $12,000 we don’t want to give you unlimited taxing authority (home rule charter)!!!!!

Man up to your mistake(s) and resign your posts!!!

Congress is the only whorehouse in history to consistently lose money!

gilbyguy on November 28, 2007 at 08:40 pm
gilbyguy

By the way ... that’s $20 per survey response.

In my day, the elected officials knew what their constituents thought .. because they TALKED to them!!!!

Incredible!!!!!!!!!!

Congress is the only whorehouse in history to consistently lose money!

gilbyguy on November 28, 2007 at 08:43 pm
The Whistler

By the way ... that’s $20 per survey response.

It costs more if you want to ensure you get the answer you want.

What’s going to happen to US industry when the global warming extremists like John McCain double the price of electricity?  I would think all these factories will close and set up in countries where they aren’t scared of technology.

The Whistler's signature
The Whistler on November 28, 2007 at 08:49 pm
gilbyguy

I pray to God they call my number!!!!!!

please, please, please .....

That would be my Christmas gift.

Congress is the only whorehouse in history to consistently lose money!

gilbyguy on November 28, 2007 at 09:14 pm
Avatar for FreeRepublicans.com

By the way ... that’s $20 per survey response.

Industry standard is about $1.25 for a small market less than 600 respondent survey (also refered to as unscientific).

FreeRepublicans.com on November 28, 2007 at 09:32 pm
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