We have a “spending problem” at the Grafton County Complex, and transparency and open government have been non-existent since April 22, 2025, when Chairwoman Martha McLeod curtailed the viewing of Grafton County Commissioners’ meetings online.
Is this why?
A burdensome 9.41% tax increase of the Grafton County Budget (Fiscal Year…July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026) is being proposed by 2 of the 3 Grafton County Commissioners. So, this is not unanimous. Ask yourself, “Why would one experienced, knowledgeable, and skillful Commissioner not support this Budget?” Is it that she knows the taxpayers of Grafton County cannot afford this proposed budget?
Salaries in most of Grafton County are meager, based on the occupations of loggers, farmers, and retail and medical services personnel in our area. We do not have the salaries of the high-tech company employees of Silicon Valley, southern California, and Seattle, Washington, to support the bewildering and unsubstantiated requests of the Grafton County Commissioners and County Department heads.
Some personnel at our Grafton County Complex are receiving ‘Washington, DC, swamp-like-creature’ G-level salaries and benefits, while we, Grafton County workers and residents, support small, family-owned businesses, earn scant salaries, and live on modest benefits. The Middle Class needs a tax reprieve! We cannot afford to support all the perks being desired by those in power at the Grafton County Complex.
It was noted that salaries, COLAs, and overtime costs have increased at the County. Also up are travel expenses, while oil prices are down under President Trump’s resumption of production, leading to lowered gas prices at local gas stations throughout our area. Another fact pointed out was that the County takes in $2.5 million in revenues every month from various departments!
County Commissioners (two of the three) are additionally looking to build another courthouse to the tune of $35 million to $40 million, which will have a projected overall cost of $70 million to $100 million when interest on the loan is amortized over 20 to 30 years.
Email or call your Grafton County Representative, and instruct them to vote “No!” on these proposals.
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