Dear editor:

I would like to clear up a couple misconceptions that were printed in the Niles Daily Star after the last mayoral debate.
The Niles Daily Star said that I would like to see the end of the 7 percent of electrical revenue that is contributed to the general fund. For more than a hundred years, the utilities of Niles have always supported the city.
From 1994 through 2003 an average of $53,351.42 was given to the general fund yearly. By 2009, this amount had risen to more than $1 million a year. Even though the 7 percent we charge our customers as PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) is more than twice what most towns in the East North Central region charge their customers, we still are unable to stop here.
In 2010 we took $218,000 above the 7 percent of revenue to cover 75 percent of the city administrator retirement compensation. Only by the council voting down the sale of the cell tower leases were we able to keep another $114,000 from going from the utilities to the general fund. It is true the 7 percent rate is very high, but I could be ecstatic if we could manage to limit ourselves to this high amount. So far this has not happened.
Concerning the city administrator form of government, there is no debating that it was forced on the citizens of Niles. It was defeated eight times by an average of 604 votes and passed on the ninth try by 143 votes in a light turnout.
This is the form of government that sold the post office for $1, rented it for $750,000 and then bought it back for $600,000. My thoughts were somewhat governed earlier by a very expensive retirement in the city coupled with a $400,000-plus budget deficit. I frankly had my doubts whether the Niles taxpayer could afford this type of government.
The City of Niles passes out contracts that have gone the way of the dinosaur in most parts of this country. Most cities have gone to “use it or lose it”
in terms of sick pay and vacation pay banking. Few contracts have clauses that allow six-month severance and a return to an administrative position with the police department in the event of dismissal.
I should be clearly understood that any problems I have are with the contract and not the man. As I have told Ric Huff many times, I think he will do a fine job. He certainly appears to have a great work ethic, and also seems frugal in all of his dealings. There is absolutely no comparison, in terms of bonuses or perks, between the two city administrator contracts. I would enjoy working for the betterment of the city with an individual such as Ric Huff.
In closing, I would like to ask for your support and vote on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 8. This is no time for business as usual, where the City of Niles continues on its way losing people and jobs.

Sincerely,

Wm. Tim Skalla
Niles