By: Diane Benjamin

Kathleen Lorenz and Scott Preston claim to be Republicans. This story proves they are fakes.

First a quick review of what Enterprise Funds are. Local government decided years ago people need to pay for what they use. Hence, Enterprise funds were created to specifically tax you based on usage. Water is one of those funds. All revenue and expenses go to the fund and reserves are accumulated for future use.

Start with this short video of Kathleen Lorenz responding to Stan Nord about shifting money to the Water Enterprise fund. She thinks it is bad practice to monkey around with funds. The discussion was on increasing water rates because in the future greater reserves might be needed. This meeting took place March 2, 2020. Scott Preston voted against the rate increase, it is later when he ripped up his Republican card. Lorenz voted for it.

So, why am I mentioning this?

Because Monday night Kathleen showed her hypocrisy concerning the Water Enterprise Fund. Scott Preston followed her off the cliff. The entire Council did with the exception of Stan Nord.

Details:

The Council voted to spend $81,018 to equip two water department vehicles with snow plows.

Note: Water Department vehicles are paid for through the Water Enterprise Fund, plowing snow is paid for from the General Fund.

Worse: The snow plow equipment is being paid for with YOUR Water funds, remember Lorenz declared those funds sacrosanct? The video is above, Monday night she was silent.

Much worse: These two snow plows were not bid, the Town just decided to buy them from the same vendor they used in 2007. (14 years ago) That vendor isn’t local, no local suppliers were asked what their price would be. Buy local is for the serfs, not the “professional staff”.

It gets even worse:

Stan Nord asked Pam Reece questions before the meeting. The yellow is Pam’s response:

The Town purchasing policy says all purchases over $25,000 must be bid. Exceptions are listed – not a one of them apply to this purchase.

Fake Republicans Kathleen Lorenz and Scott Preston didn’t care when Stan brought up all these points. The vote to approve the purchase was 6-1. See Progressives at work? You should.

Evidently being a RINO requires buying into different rules if the “professional staff” says they should. Town code is meaningless when the people you elect to adhere to the code (written to protect taxpayers) is ignored.

The snow plow equipment wasn’t in the 5 year budget. Neither is the underpass. Both Lorenz and Preston voted yes anyway. Earlier in the video below is the budget conversation. Chris Koos says the Council needs to trust the “professional staff” since budget details aren’t included. In other words, elected officials aren’t required.

Mentioned in the 2020 discussion was the receipt of cannabis tax funds. Funny how neither city has told it’s citizens how much they have received or where it is being spent. (Your money is their secret!)

Just hit play to hear the entire conversation on raising your water rates more than a year a ago. Koos claims the rates you pay are the actual cost of delivering water to your home. Not after Monday Chris, citizens are now paying for snow removal and equipment in their water bill. That means less money has to be spent from the General Fund to clear the streets providing the Town with more General Fund to spend as they like. Pam Reece says they have the ability to move money between funds, they just don’t want to. (Until last Monday – change the rules when as required)