Audit shows big trouble

The long awaited 2008 Brookfield audit has finally appeared, eight months into the next fiscal year. It would appear that the campaign crowing about how timely they prepare this document is at an end.

The financial condition of the village of Brookfield is worse than what was predicted by some forward thinkers. Bankrupt! Unreserved funds in the general fund at 2008 year end were at a negative $93,314. Does anyone remember the statement made in March, 2009 by Trustee Kit Ketchmark, financial liaison, that there was $3.1 million in the general fund? No wonder we are in trouble.

At the end of the 2005-06 fiscal year, Brookfield had $2.8 million in its general fund. In four years, this has disappeared. Some of this eroding of Brookfield's reserves has no doubt been due to the downturn in the economy, but people have to take a long look at the management of our village for further answers.

The lack of a finance director from 2006 to 2009 showed gross negligence by the village officials and to quote the Landmark newspaper (May 12, 2009), "Mainly, there wasn't a whole lot of direction given by this board, which has in the past couple of years become incredibly docile in the face of increasing financial pressures and there seems to be an apparent lack of concern over how the village got into this predicament."

This statement points to a definite failing and lack of oversight by Brookfield's officials.

The village of Brookfield seemed to purchase or pay for anything that came down the pike. Every alley paved cost the village about $25,000 in legal and engineering fees.

While it is desirable to accept grants, most come with a matching contribution by the village. You can go broke getting grants. The purchase of new cars for the code department would be a prudent expense if we had the money. Raises and questionable positions at the upper management level and Public Works Department are also extravagant; laptop computers for everyone, closed circuit TVs in the courtroom, the list goes on and on.

All expenses that in a perfect world could have been desirable, but as we all know, you have to live within your means. I was at most of the village board meetings that approved these expenditures. The lack of discussion was shocking. At the Feb. 23, 2009 village board meeting, I asked what the balance in the general fund and was told around $900,000, clearly a guess.

Sure, it's easy to say now let them do their job, but it is incumbent upon the citizens of Brookfield to demand accountability and answers. It is your money. Now, with no cushion in the general fund, the only alternatives are to issue tax anticipation warrants, borrow more from the bank, reduce village services and increase fees. Unfortunately, all of these result in added cost or inconvenience to us the residents. Maybe some will now see that the emperor has no clothes.

Wilfred Brennan
Brookfield