The taxpayers of Dunkirk should be outraged.

How can a city that has repeatedly claimed to be in severe financial distress justify creating a comptroller position with a reported salary of $140,000 per year? This comes on the heels of an 84% property tax increase that has already placed an enormous burden on homeowners and businesses. Residents were told sacrifices were necessary, yet City Hall now appears willing to spend taxpayer dollars as if money is no object.

Even more disturbing is what occurred at the June 2 Common Council meeting. By a 4-1 vote, the Council approved creating the position before they even knew what the salary would be. Let that sink in. They voted to create a six-figure position without knowing its cost.

That is not responsible government. It is the exact opposite of fiscal accountability.

No family would agree to buy a car without knowing the price. No business would approve a major expenditure without first reviewing the cost. Why should taxpayers accept a lower standard from the officials entrusted with managing millions of public dollars?

If the salary had not yet been determined, the only responsible action was to table the proposal until all of the facts were available and the public had an opportunity to weigh in. Instead, the Council approved the position first and worried about the price tag later.

That is backward, and it is unacceptable. Dunkirk is not a wealthy community. Many residents are seniors living on fixed incomes, working families struggling to pay rising bills, and taxpayers who have already been asked to shoulder unprecedented tax increases. They deserve elected officials who exercise sound judgment, demand complete information before voting, and remember that every dollar they spend belongs to the public — not City Hall.

The people of Dunkirk deserve transparency, accountability, and common sense. Until our elected officials start treating taxpayer money with the same care they expect residents to use in their own households, they should expect to be held accountable at the ballot box.

Enough is enough.

Marvin Huitfeldt is a Dunkirk resident.