"When will the citizens of Oklahoma County get smart and stop this charade of permitting elected county officials to vote themselves a raise or two annually?Top county officials will get $123,553 annually, including benefits.
Raises are based on a formula that factors in population and land assessment values.
Guess why we get an automatic 5% annual increase in our ad valorem taxes, even if no improvements are made to your property? When will demand that our Legislature cut this raise to a maximum of 1%?
Or better yet, let the citizens of Oklahoma vote when to raise property taxes. Perhaps we need a petition drive to change the way property tax rates are raised.
County officials are banking on two things: citizens have short memories and school lobbyists will defeat our desires on this subject.
If we let this practice continue, the sky's the limit for county spending.We could find good candidates for these offices for at least 10% less than we're paying."
"Glenn Pollard, Midwest City, letter to Editor, Oklahoman - 9/26
(Gpvn:) Glenns letter, although targeting Oklahoma County in particular, pertains to all counties. It's time for those who pay the tab (taxpayers) to demand an examination of the laws governing pay and retirement/benefits for all elected officials from the Governor to the dog catcher! Many factors have changed over the years!
"It may seem like a major transgression,
In the midst of a growing recession,
But we have the yeas To enact our raise,
And can weather the bad impression."
-Politickles by F.R. DuPlantier
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