By Brian Massie, A Watchman on the Wall
Back in August, 2021 we did a review of the fund balances in the Lake County accounts. There was no need for a sophisticated computer algorithm (we would not know how to write one) to determine a problem. We simply went down a list of fund balances and found $5.3 million in an account entitled “Surplus Over”. The Finance Director told us that it represented an overpayment in property taxes by the citizens of Lake County.
I asked how long has the County held the money….Are you ready for the answer?
30 YEARS
Now almost five years later we see the wrap-up to this betrayal. The Commissioners are prepared to vote on a resolution to move $3,904,221.62 from the unclaimed funds to the general fund. Treasurer Michael Zuren has been able to find the owners of approximately $1.4 million, and that money was given back to the individual citizens, but the ownership of the remaining $3.9 is lost and untraceable.
We are requesting that the three Commissioners vote to authorize Auditor Chris Galloway to reduce the collection of County property taxes by the $3.9 million. The money will go back into the pockets of the rightful owners – the overtaxed Lake County citizens.
(Sorry, but the original was distorted)
Note the phrase: “to utilize for county benefits”….no mention of returning the money to the taxpayers!
We are appealing to Commissioner NO New Taxes (John Plecnik) to step in and propose sending this money back to the taxpayers. Commissioners Regovich, and Beverage – we will be watching how you handle the taxpayers’ money.
Categories: Lake County - General, Lake County Politics