The following is a statement released by Geary County Commission Chair Trish Giordano:
One of my platforms while running for County Commission was transparency. Transparency on our finances and transparency on actions taken by the board. We have been going through our budget process and if I had any doubt of whether we needed a financial officer, I have no doubt now. I made it clear to my fellow commissioners I was not going to support a mil levy increase until we can track where every tax dollar goes.
In late 2021, the past commission approved 6 new positions AFTER the 2021 budget was approved. No questions were asked on how this would affect the benefits budget line or the 2022 general budget. What responsible commission does this??? This caused a huge increase in the proposed 2022 budget.
An elected department head recently requested an additional position because her office was behind in paperwork. She did not provide any numbers or documentation to justify this position. We advised her we would think about it, but we were having to cut 1.2 million to not raise the mil levy. The next day she sent an email stating she was disturbed we had not approved her request. Then sent an additional email saying she was offended she was asked to cut her budget when we were adding a financial officer. Its obvious to me some department heads are not used to being told no.
Another elected official threatened to sue the commission if we did not fund what their department needed. Well, I want to know who decides that NEED??
Another elected official called me a hypocrite for asking the departments to cut their budgets to pay for the luxury of a financial officer. Her actual quote was, “Quit being a hypocrite and acting like you care about the county. If you cared, you would listen to those that have the knowledge and true passion that has kept the county in the position they are in.” The position they are in???? We have one the highest county taxes in the state!! That is not something to be proud of. Don’t get me wrong, we have great employees that keep this county going, but we lacking in efficiencies. The money saved from having a part time county counselor and being able to use ARPA money to pay part of the financial officer’s salary will make his a minimal cost and in the long run the position will pay for itself and then some.
I was also told that that the financial officer is going to tell the department heads how to run their department and tell them what to cut. I don’t know how many times I have to say this. The financial officer will provide the commission the information to make educated informed decisions. Not like now where we are just randomly cutting things, which in some cases is just kicking the can down the road.
One of my fellow commissioners made the comment in budget session that Riley Co was raising their mil levy, we could raise ours a little. ABOSOLUTELY NOT!
In the request for the departments to see what other cuts they could make I made the comment we were in crisis mode. Several department heads wanted to know why I thought we were in crisis mode because they did not feel that way. In my opinion we are in crisis mode because we have one of the highest county taxes in the state and nothing to show for it. We are in crisis mode because we are nickel and diming every single department, along with our retirement and sick leave accounts to try and cut the budget. We are in crisis mode because our computer system is so outdated, our department heads don’t have access to their own budgets, We are in crisis mode because our past audits tell us our internal controls are seriously lacking. And last, but not least, we are in crisis mode because the taxpayers of this county are sick and tired of their taxes being so high.
This isn’t as simple as cutting $100,000 for afford a financial officer. We have to cut 1.2 million to not burden our taxpayers!! Apparently, some of our elected officials don’t see an issue with this!! I don’t know how we can afford not to get a financial officer.
One of my favorite quotes is by Paul Curtman, “If you are going to stand up, expect to get hit.” I will continue to fight for financial responsibility and transparency and will not be intimidated, so keep the hits coming.
I am sorry that people are offended on my stance on needing a financial officer, that is not my intention at all. I hope they will come to see that this position will help every department.
We are close to finishing the budget and I do appreciate those departments who assisted in helping make the cuts needed. I truly appreciate all our hard-working employees who are the backbone of our county.