Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

During this time, I call upon my fellow elected officials in any public office to take a moment to reflect on the daily tax burdens placed upon individuals and businesses. Life is always uncertain and can bring challenging times to us all. In this unique time, most of us happen to be experiencing similar challenges at once. High taxes, utility rates and fees only add to the stress people are feeling. We just received our property tax notice the other day. Bills don’t stop, even though some employment has.

Are we, as elected officials, overseeing our respective organizations in a way that ensures maximizing the output of the taxpayer dollar? Are we ensuring our organizations are providing excellent service, but in a financially streamlined manner? Are we keeping an eye on administrative costs? Are we doing what’s right for administrative salary and benefits packages? According to the Census Bureau, the average income for an entire household in Freeborn County is $52,447. Are we doing what’s right for our community, and not just bumping up our packages just because the town down the road has bumped up theirs? Are we aware of the cycle this creates? Are we requiring our organizations to bring forth several options to us, rather than an all-or-nothing approach? Are we asking how costs may be reduced in pending projects and in current services?

Many times, elected officials can be led to believe that revenue must be kept at a certain level or higher. That it can never be decreased, because that would put our organization in a pinch. But, we must remember that this revenue comes from our community’s pockets. This is not a never-ending supply. People deal with cost of living increases just as government organizations do. But, government is in the driver’s seat. Are we making sure we have the community riding shotgun, and not just ourselves?

To my fellow voters, are we doing the best we can to choose the best candidates for elected office? Are we taking a close look at voting records of candidates? Are we voting for a record and a strong message, or for a name? Are we voting at all? Are we contacting our elected officials? Are we demanding our elected officials sharpen their pencils? Are we asking for several options to choose from in special projects, or just swallowing what’s fed us?

Former generations taught us to watch the pennies, and the dollars would take care of themselves. Tough economic times are times when we can try to think of things in a new way for the good of all. We are all in this together!

Jill Marin

Albert Lea