Geary County Commissioner Trish Giordano has issued a response to comments by her opponent in the 1st District county commission race, Brad Roether. He hosted a meet and greet for his campaign this week and talked with JC Post.
Giordano said statements by Roether and reported in a JC Post article have concerned her.
His themes were transparency and conservative budgeting and spending. Giordano said she agrees it's important to be transparent to the public. "Over the past 15 months, Geary County has made great strides towards more transparency by providing detailed commission agendas, recording commission meetings and encouraging public comments and input." She noted that her opponent had served as mayor of Milford for several years but city budgets and audits are not available on the Milford website. "
Giordano believes being available to constituents should be a top priority as an elected official but she commented elected and appointed official email addresses and cell phone numbers are not on Milford's website. "How can constituents contact Milford officials directly?"
Giordano expressed surprise that Roether would be concerned that the county's property tax levy decreased 10 mills since he was calling for conservative budgeting but citing the need for carryover cash in case of a crisis. Giordano added that the county's carryover cash was three times that of Milford's budget which is sufficient for a county of this size.
The commissioner noted in hiring a finance officer and with help from department heads they were able to implement line-item budgeting to show where the money is going, decrease levied funds, incorporate an identifiable cash reserve, add money for capital programs and bring in a wage study for the employees plus include recently proposed debt for the hospital along with other debt service requirements.
On the subject of executive sessions concerning the hospital, Giordano commented that negotiations and legal issues are permissible and necessary when discussing sensitive issues. Past actions can't be changed. The debt will not disappear and the county is responsible for it. What is being done is moving forward with creation of a sustainable debt plan that does not overburden taxpayers of today or the future knowing both will benefit from the best available option--"leasing to Stormont Vail and keeping the hospital open." Giordano added, "This is the best option for the community."
Giordano said she disagrees with Roether's view that the relationship between the city and county are at an all time low, adding she has been collaborating with city commissioners and school board members on addressing childcare issues. On the subject of Geary County employee morale, an employee assistance program has been started in the past year, improved insurance options and a wage study undertaken. Commissioners take input from employees during meetings and provide them with appreciation events.
Giordano ended her comments by noting Roether is supported by former elected officials and others that didn't feel a finance officer was needed, and believed there was nothing wrong with the way the county budgeted and operated, but improvement has been made in those areas.