Inspector General's office - formed to help shed image of public corruption in Palm Beach County

The Inspector general's office was created to help curb public corruption.  The people of Palm Beach County demanded a watchdog after many incidents of officials going to prison. Lake Worth had voted to pay the requested amount each year. But yesterday I discover that we have not paid our share other than the County's initial request under Susan Stanton. At the time, the Commission had voted to pay its fair share after the 2010 election when the IG's office was voted in overwhelming by the voters of Palm Beach County.

Stopping the payment to the IG's office never came before the Lake Worth commission after Stanton was terminated, at least as far as I recall. It apparently was de-funded in subsequent budgets and not mentioned.

Originally, 14 municipalities didn’t pay and they sued saying it was double taxation. Lake Worth was not a part of that suit. Those cities didn't want any oversight on what they did. The largest city, West Palm Beach, is where several of the elected officials ended up in the slammer for corruption. Those cities that sued just don't like the idea of someone watching over them and don't care what the voters say. And we know that Lake Worth, even though it did not join the suit, never has cared what the voters have said, i.e., the Heights Referendum.

On March 12, 2015 Palm Beach County Circuit Judge Catherine Brunson rejected the 14 cities’ and towns’ arguments that the referendum lacked the power to force them to spend money on a watchdog.

The cities appealed the decision and it is still in the Appellate Court. In the meantime, since Lake Worth made some "secret" decision (this administration has become an expert at that) not to pay its fair share that was to go into an Escrow account with the County until such time it was settled legally, we owe $221,501. Where will we come up with that money if or when the cities lose again in the Appellate Court? The Park of Commerce Fund? The Beach Fund?  Oh, that's right--there is no money in that fund; it was already raided. Maybe the Billboard Settlement Fund? Oh no, that was raided too.