Poke In The Eye

Last week, Dr. Scott England sat and watched the Fairfield City Council TIF committee decide to give money to help air condition The Mule Barn. It is not that the venerable old gymnasium doesn’t need HVAC help---but it did nothing to help England’s District 112 budget.

England is still waiting on an answer to a letter he had his legal counsel send to the city last year. He wants his 40-percent cut of the TIF pot. He believes the city is obligated by ordinance to give the money to all of the taxing districts in Fairfield, not just a $200,000 gift to the high school.

Now, I have to admit, having sweat through several college graduations held in the Mule Barn, cooling the facility is a great idea. But the city council is playing with someone else’s money----namely the park district, the library, the college and District 112. They all had TIF money taken off the top of their tax levies.

Get in line, fill out a form and maybe the city will put a ladle into the TIF pot and reward you.

But England likely won’t get such a present. He’s the squeaky wheel. He stood up and threatened the city with legal action to get the money he was promised when the TIF got extended.

I think he’s right.

It’s great the Mule Barn is going to get AC. But I think in doing so the city council is poking their colleagues in public service….right in the eye.