Hyper-Local Government

We just had an interesting discussion with a friend regarding our rants against the proliferation of taxing authorities in Illinois and Woodford County.

He says, "Yes we have around 140 taxing districts in Woodford County. Ain't it great? That means the taxing is closer to the people and more accountable. The further consolidation that occurs and the further up the government ladder it goes - towards County and State - the more expensive and less responsive it becomes."

We said, "Yes, but the problem is that every taxing authority thinks their mission is the most important on earth!" The response? "Their mission is the most important. That's the way it's supposed to work. We, the voters, chose to set up a fire district, or an ambulance district, or build infrastructure. We thought we needed them!"

We're paraphrasing.

We were, as was the intention, stunned. This is a very attractive idea on the surface of it. After consideration it makes more and more sense. After all, keeping political power and decision making "close to the ground", so to speak, is incredibly desirable. We think conservatives and libertarians should probably sign on to this idea, with a few caveats.

One is that voters get their act together with regard to Township government in Woodford County and the property appraisal process. After all, this is what fills the various purses. There are too many elected appraiser slots unfilled. That doesn't mean no appraiser; just one that's not elected.

The townships need to do much better communicating to the public what they are doing. When's the last time you got a newsletter of notice of a meeting from your Township Board?

Transparency and accountability is a two-way street. The voter has the responsibility to be the ultimate insurer of local government's responsiveness.

Secondly, and perhaps this is the same thing - after those decisions to implement fire or police or ambulance taxing districts, there must be better oversight, reporting, and measurement of the performance of said authorities. The voters shouldn't necessarily have to beg to get this from those authorities which they themselves set up.

At this time of property tax extensions from the various bodies being revealed, it is appropriate that we examine the Townships more closely. This we shall endeavor to do in the next few weeks. Please feel free to chime in.