Mixed signals being sent by the PEP Board

If you looked at the Agenda for the Brookfield Committee of the Whole meeting February 23, 2009 you may have noted that there was an item on the agenda titled IV- Line of Credit Extension. This was initially discussed as a need to renew the line of credit that the Village of Brookfield has at the 1st National Bank of Brookfield. The recommendation was to renew it for 1.5 million at an interest rate of 6%. The discussion then expanded to include a $25,000 buy out to induce employees to retire early, a 5 day unpaid furlough for employees, removal of the clean up week pick up and other cost cutting measures. These drastic measures have a huge impact on the Village and its residents; it is unfortunate that they were not included on the agenda as topics of discussion. There are many residents that view the agenda on-line or stop at the village hall to obtain a copy of the agenda. It’s a shame that residents will have to read about this in the paper, if at all. But, maybe that was the intent.

Interestingly, the next item on the agenda was to renew the contract for contract mowing of grass in the village. If the village is in such dire financial condition, why would it spend money for something that can be done in-house? They will tell you that the Public Works employees make too much to have them cut grass, but when necessity calls, the ends justify the means.

The questions that beg answering! Why did the Village Manager get a $10,000 raise in the face of this looming financial crisis? How much did his assistant get? They were both rewarded for the Library Levy boondoggle. Why are we paying for the Village Managers dues to an alumni Association? How much did it it cost the Village for the catered breakfasts for the staff on Tuesday Mornings? How much does it cost for lunches (out of town) on credit cards? Why did the Village re-hire the planner that quit in the midst of a hiring freeze?