WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
After enduring years of scorn from a Florence Township resident, members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners uncharacteristically struck back this week.
Addressing the board during “citizen comments” portion of the board’s meeting Tuesday, Tim Carls made a questionable claim about the county’s finances and accused the five-member board of making decisions outside the realm of public assembly.
Carls, who emerged victorious Aug. 4 in his bid for Florence Township supervisor, also accused the board of lying to the public about the county’s fragile financial state.
Later in the meeting, finance director Angie Steinman said the county in 2017 had to use $300,000 from its fund balance and $800,000 a year later to maintain a balanced budget. In 2019, the county came out ahead $290,000, its first surplus in at least five years, she said.
Board chairman Dennis Allen took umbrage at the allegation, saying he is unaware of the county board being involved in secret meetings.
Commissioner Dan Czajkowski urged county residents to contact their commissioner and ask for an explanation if there’s concern or confusion about any issue.
