WORST USE OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS IN THE PAST YEAR

1st Place: Superintendent’s salary
2nd Place: Carson Park sign
3rd Place: Jail expansion

That fourth-month investigation of superintendent Bill Klaus carried right into the span of our poll. Apparently many of you voters felt that the allegations that he tried to access his retirement stipend (about $267,000) were true, since you voted that the worst use of your hard-earned tax dollars this year went to his salary. Now lets keep an eye on the damage lawsuit he filed against the school board for a whopping $1.9 million! Your other vote for wasteful spending went to the big new Carson Park sign that scrolls text to alert you of tennis courts, festivals, museums, games, and all-out revelry. And even though the jail expansion project was halted, all you voters know that the hours of planning and meetings costs money. Don’t be surprised if this item moves to No. 1 next year, seeing as how the debate still continues. – Trevor Kupfer