Bad Business Practices Cost Taxpayers Big Bucks

By Tory Erickson

Whatever direction we decide to go in our upcoming municipal election, Heart Park or Village Park, we must work with AES.

As the city voted to place the TOT and business tax increases on the ballot, the city revisited the issue of a utility tax. After a series of closed door meetings, the city decided not to put a utility tax on the ballot. Instead the city decided that they could collect utility taxes from AES without putting the issue on the ballot. At the time of the vote, the city estimated that AES might owe $24 million dollars. Now the city's claim is up to $72 million dollars.

It's hard to imagine that a decision of this magnitude could be made, in the middle of the night, without notice to the taxpayers, and without even bothering to contact AES.

Whatever direction we decide to go in our upcoming municipal election, Heart Park or Village Park, AES is a powerful stakeholder. They own the property we are planning to transform. Our city's ability to implement either vision will be significantly impacted by our relationship with AES. As we more forward, we need better business practices to avoid costly litigation, and to protect our taxpayers' limited resources.