Des Moines County Board of Chairman Supervisor Tom Broeker and Des Moines County Democrats Chairman Tom Courtney exchanged dialogue over whether non elected members of state commissions should be able to vote to spend taxpayer’s money.
The debate came as Broeker, who is a republican, was discussing the changes to the mental health region governing board. These new changes include adding three non-elected members to the Mental Heath Region governing boards, which are in charge of Mental Health Care in their respective regions. Of these three new members, one would be an adult receiving services and a second member would be the guardian of a child receiving services.
Courtney argued that such boards encourage citizens to participate more in their government while Broeker argued that without being an elected official, there is no accountability to tax payers who ultimately foot the bill.
Courtney currently serves on the Burlington School Board and has previously served as a state senator.
