Current Wake County Tax Issues

WAKE COUNTY TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION
June 24, 2008

Mr. David Cooke, Wake County Manager
Members Board of Commissioners
Wake County Office Building
Raleigh, NC

Dear David,

I have just finished reading the news report of the County employee who has taken taxpayers for a ride. I am glad to read your quote that it makes you mad. I feel sure for you that is putting it mildly. It sure is for me. I am totally disgusted at the report and the attitude expressed by the employee who has thus “stolen” from the taxpayers of Wake County.

Just about as sad is the fact that his boss is still an employee making $94,000, plus, a year in taxpayer’s money when he was fully responsible for what was allowed to take place. And to add insult to injury, all the other employees and teachers who participated in this totally irresponsible conduct willingly, and certainly being knowledgeable of the shenanigans which they participated in.

When I stood before you and the Commissioners recently pleading for a hold-the-line on taxes I asserted that surely there are places where expenditures can be cut rather raising taxes at this critical time in our economy. Clearly, the type misuse of tax funds found in this revelation of activity by multiple employees and their supervisors in the environmental department is a sterling example.

When a division of government is so slack in following ethics rules and standards as to permit this to happen it’s quite good evidence that the division may be too large and may need extensive whittling down. Saving of considerable sums of tax dollars could likely be found.

I submit that, while there hopefully is no other such ridiculous use of tax dollars found in other departments at this time, it surely indicates that overstaffing may be something that needs a serious look and possible cutbacks to size that is sufficient and adequate and not overstaffed to make it just appear good work is being done.

As I suggested at the budget hearing, I urge you and the Commissioners to appoint an independent committee of citizen leaders to do a comprehensive study of departments of County Government to determine effectiveness, efficiency and adequacy of staff positions for any recommendations for savings.

I am convinced that considerable savings can be found and quality can still be maintained and even greatly improved through such study.

Thank you for your attention.

Sincerely,

J. Russell Capps, President
Wake County Taxpayers Association

cc: Members, Wake County Board of Commissioners
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