Townships are more cost-effective

The Daily Herald recently advocated the abolishment of township government in DuPage County and the state. While this position may be popular given the fiscal crisis facing the state, and resonates with smaller-government advocates like myself, it ignores some relevant facts about the level of service.

The nine DuPage townships are responsible for road repair, snow plowing, and are mandated to administer General Assistance and Emergency Assistance for all areas of the township — including municipalities.

Despite the economic crisis, every DuPage Township operates with balanced budgets and no deficits. Additionally, the Milton Township Highway Department returns half of its levy to its municipalities. Since these roads still have to be maintained at a cost, does the Herald seriously believe any other governmental body could deliver these services so efficiently, and at the minimal cost to the taxpayers as the townships do?

The Herald advocates transferring the obligations of a cost-efficient, well-managed, taxpayer-responsive entity the townships represent, to surrounding communities. Municipalities are experiencing dramatic losses in revenues, resulting in program cuts, service reductions and, in some cases, higher taxes.

This consolidation has no chance of saving the taxpayers any money or reducing government. Additional staff would be required at the municipal level to provide the same services already cost-effectively delivered by the townships. I firmly believe in a smaller, less-intrusive government that is more responsive to the taxpayers. What I cannot support is abolishing exactly that model of a smaller, efficient government the DuPage townships deliver.

C.E. Levan

Winfield (Milton Township)