ESD meetings this week

The Johnson County ESD has posted a few meetings on their web site for the week.  On Wednesday, September 1st they're calling a special session to consult with their attorney in executive session.  That meeting starts at 5pm.  Upon reconvening in open session they have two interesting agenda items listed:

1. Discussion and possible action on authorizing District's attorney to retain necessary consultants to assist the District and its attorney as necessary in personnel or other appropriate matters and/or authorize attorney to take necessary action in relation to same.

2. Discussion and possible action on the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of district employees.

One can only hope that item number two will be related to the dismissal of all district employees involved in failing to maintain accurate financial records.

On Thursday, September 2nd at 7pm they'll convene a public hearing for "Citizen's comments regarding the proposed tax rate of 6 cents ($.06) per $100 dollars of property valuation."  Upon passage of the proposition back in May to raise the tax rate I assumed it was over and done with, but the district still has to follow certain procedures before actually adopting that higher rate.  One is holding a public hearing on the matter before actually voting to adopt the higher rate.  If finding out how poorly the ESD has handled your tax dollars has made you change your mind about giving them more of your money to spend then Thursday is your chance to express that to the board members before they vote on September 16th.  I personally feel that the 6 cent rate will be necessary to adequately fund the fire departments in the near future, but I would rather see the ESD adopt the rate a year from now after a severe house cleaning has gotten rid of the irresponsible money handlers employed by the district, the replacement of at least a few board members and a solid, specific, detail based 5-year financial plan is developed.  You'd think the ESD office was in Washington D.C. since they work under the "Give us your money and then we'll figure out how to spend it" philosophy.

At the conclusion of the public hearing they'll convene another special session that evening for "Discussion and possible action on Annual Budget for 2010 - 2011."