Townships' yearly meetings let taxpayers learn where dollars go

The two times during the year taxpayers remember township government still exists are when they receive their property tax bills, and when people who spend that money have their annual meeting.

When those bills are high, constituents remember and complain at the meetings. Then, they remember that townships -- often overshadowed by village governments -- have employees, maintain roads, operate cemeteries and assess properties.

But in these days when every bill is costly, it's anyone's guess if any complaints will be spoken at the upcoming meeting.

"We've had some annual meetings that have lasted 15-20 minutes and no one spoke," said Liz Gade, Dundee Township clerk.

"And then we've had some where 60 to 80 people have attended."

She and township supervisor Sue Harney hope residents attend the Tuesday annual meeting: not only to hear the financial condition of rural Dundee, but to hear how cooking oil can be used to power a school bus.

"During the annual meeting we try to highlight something positive going on in the area," Harney said. "Gary Swick (a Dundee-Crown High School science teacher) will show how they have taken cooking oil from the school's cafeteria and refined it so it can be used as a fuel."

But if that doesn't attract people to the meeting, residents can still hear township board members' plans to improve the two township cemeteries and sites in the open space district.

Dundee Township's annual meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the highway garage, at the corner of Sleepy Hollow Road and Route 72.

Rutland Township's annual meeting is expected to be much the same, said clerk Charleen Carlsen.

Swick won't be at the meeting, but reports will be given on the road and bridge fund and the general financial condition of the township.

"We may have some residents asking for free transportation, similar to what is available in some other townships," she said. "Other than that I haven't heard anything."

Rutland Township's annual meeting will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the township offices, at the corner of Powers and Big Timber roads.

Rutland Township senior citizens have been asking for the free bus rides after hearing about programs offered in Dundee and Campton townships.

But those aren't free; township officials pay some of the cost, as does the federal government.

"I can't speak for the (township) board, but it would be an expensive program," Carlsen said.

Money for other matters may be on the minds of some Sun City residents who attend the annual meeting. A few homeowners in the Huntley retirement community have been questioning their property assessments.

Assessor Jan Siers will be at the meeting to answer their questions.

"People don't think about township government until they need it or want to complain about it," Carlsen said. "Either way, we always want to hear what people have to say."

Residents don't have to wait until the annual meetings to voice their concerns, though. Dundee Township Board members meet at 7 p.m., the third Tuesday of every month, at the Route 68 offices in East Dundee.

Rutland Township Board members meet at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every month at the town hall.