Endorsement: 'Yes' on Vernon Township road referendum

Illinois has the dubious distinction of having the most units of government and some of the highest property taxes in the nation. One hope to change that is by reducing the size of government. To that end, we recommend approval of Vernon Township's ballot proposal to eliminate the highway commissioner's position - and the $109,000 salary package that goes with it - and shift oversight of 13 miles of township roads to the township board.

Supervisor Dan Didech says the change provides "modest" savings and makes township government more efficient. Under the plan, a foreman would oversee day-to-day work and a town administrator and board would oversee the department, Didech says. There would be no change in services, he said.

If approved, the change would begin after Highway Commissioner Michael Lofstrom's term expires in 2021. Lofstrom opposes the move, saying not enough analysis has been done to determine any savings beyond the position's salary, and predicting costs could go up if the township contracts for services.

We're convinced otherwise.

Didech and the board have not decided what to do with the savings if voters approve the referendum. We have a suggestion: Acknowledge the reason such consolidations appeal to voters and return any savings, however modest, to taxpayers. For that even to be considered, voters must first approve the elimination of the office, so we urge a yes vote to get the process started.