Village accused of unethical conduct over permit fee dispute

During a recent village board meeting, resident Sarah Larsen raised concerns regarding the handling of a conditional use permit application and the return of a $1,400 fee paid by a local citizen. Larsen presented emails obtained through open records requests, alleging unethical behavior by the village in its dealings related to the permit and property negotiations.

Larsen detailed a timeline of communications involving the village's planning director, village administrator, and village president, highlighting a perceived lack of professionalism and responsiveness from village officials. She noted that the village had delayed negotiations for over 15 months, which she argued demonstrated a lack of genuine interest in facilitating the sale of the property in question.

The discussion centered around a conditional use permit application submitted by a resident intending to purchase a property owned by Mr. Groenik. Larsen emphasized that the village's requirement for Groenik to sign the application indicated awareness of the resident's intent to buy the property. She criticized the village for its inconsistent communication, which she claimed ultimately led to the resident being misled about the status of their application.

Larsen urged the board to consider returning the $1,400 fee, asserting that the village's actions were unprofessional and that the resident deserved reimbursement due to the village's failure to communicate effectively. She also called for a request for proposals (RFP) for legal services, suggesting that the current handling of legal matters appeared to lack transparency.

Additionally, Larsen expressed frustration over the village's slow response to her Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, indicating that such delays contribute to a perception of secrecy in village operations. The meeting underscored ongoing tensions between residents and village officials regarding transparency and accountability in local governance.