Mark Weyermuller | Twitter/@publicpolicyman
Mark Weyermuller | Twitter/@publicpolicyman
New Trier Township officials are facing criticism from the community for expenses made by the township.
One Twitter user noted a customized box of cookies that cost taxpayers $125.
"At the annual @NTTGov New Trier Township meeting on April 12, per a FOIA, these custom printed cookies cost $125 of their 21-22 budget of ~$3.2 million taxpayer-funded budget. Third picture is cost of cookies at Jewel. Are these $125 cookies an appropriate taxpayer expense?" Twitter user @tnertz said.
Another Twitter user said the township purchased tens of thousands of dollars worth of gift cards.
"COOKIEGATE: This seems like the tip of the iceberg as New Trier Township gave out 412 gift cards valued at $75 each, total $31,000 with little to no data of who got them and why. Where are the watchdogs?" Mark Weyermuller posted on Twitter.
The township’s budget page notes the collection, allocation and distribution of taxpayer funds. The website includes a number of budgets going back to 2013.
In an audit from last year, the activities of the township were clearly described.
"The government-wide financial statements distinguish functions of the Township that are principally supported by taxes and other governmental revenues (governmental activities) from other functions that are intended to recover all or a significant portion of their costs through user fees and charges (business-type activities)," the audit reads. "The governmental activities of the Township include general government, directly funded community services, community assistance and services and assessor. The Township does not conduct any business-type activities."
That audit — Fiscal Year ending Feb. 28, 2021 — was clean. However, with an unfolding scandal, 2022 may not be so lucky.
An annual audit report is released for each fiscal year which begins every March 1. Township Clerk Nicole Capretta is noted as a contact for the financial audit.
Alerts Sign-up