SALEM LAKES, Wis. – Facing mounting public distrust and growing budget pressures, Village Administrator Cassandra Hiller (D) on Tuesday night unveiled a long-term capital improvement plan that would rely on borrowing—potentially millions of dollars—requiring residents to foot the bill for years to come through increased property taxes.

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At a budget workshop, Hiller and consultant Todd Taves from Ehlers Finance pitched the 30-year plan as a necessary evolution in infrastructure and fiscal planning. But only Trustees Billy Barhyte (I) and Pete Poli (R) questioned the price tag or tax implications. Board President Rita Bucur (D) and Trustees Bill Hopkins (D), Angela Brooks (D), and Ron Gandt (D) appeared poised to back the initiative without much scrutiny. Trustee Dennis Faber (D) asked questions but didn’t signal his support one way or the other.

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The proposal comes on the heels of a major financial loss for the Village—Paddock Lake’s termination of its fire and EMS contract with Salem Lakes. That decision, made in May, cited high costs and transparency issues, and left a significant revenue hole in the budget.

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On Wednesday morning, Hiller took to Facebook, asking residents to help shape the future of Salem Lakes. The response was not what she hoped for.

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“Soooo by your own words—funds weren’t properly allocated and now you want us to cover that??” wrote Elaine Saynay. “We do not want our taxes raised. Comparing us to Whitewater & Burlington is amusing. We are fine with the status quo.”

“Oh now you want to hear from the community…” added Amanda Lynn, echoing the sentiment of many who said they’ve been shut out of past village decisions.

“Why do you want anyone’s opinions now?” asked Don Zak. “You don’t really listen to your residents in the first place. I’ve seen that in person at the Town meetings. It’s just all fluff and for show.”

“Complaining you can’t keep up with the growth and asking for ideas for more growth in the same breath is just downright comical,” said Destiny Kelly. “Quit taking the rural feel away.”

“Help local businesses, spend money to update roads and existing local parks,” said Becky L. Jacobson. “Keep the Salem Lakes area rural. It’s a gem the way it is.”

“The audacity to make a post like this after drafting an order to silence any criticism during hall meetings is beyond comprehension,” wrote Gregg Lindsay. “Quit trying to gaslight people into your adhoc ideas behind closed doors.”

“Salem Lakes is a joke,” added Daniel Hall, who said he left a job with the village due to “corruption” and mismanagement. “Two of the guys were exposed and fired but a few still remain.”

Residents also questioned Hiller’s motives. As Kenosha County Eye previously reported, Hiller is expected to leave her post soon amid internal controversies and a search for new employment. Nevertheless, the board is still signaling support for renewing her contract.

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“I thought MRS HILL[ER] has all the answers—why would you need the TAXPAYERS’ help now?” wrote Bob Williams.

“You want ideas for the future? Here’s one: stop wasting money,” wrote Barbara Denman. “F your 30-year plan. I can’t even get out of my driveway anymore… My house was assessed $97,000 higher this year. I’ve had enough.”

Critics have also blasted the board’s priorities. Rather than fixing long-standing infrastructure problems like roads and storm drains—issues residents say have been ignored for years—the new plan leans heavily on new spending and expansive goals, all without a clear consensus from taxpayers.

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Critics argue that the borrowing proposal is less about the village’s needs and more about Hiller’s resume.

“If she’s on her way out the door, why is she pushing a 30-year debt plan?” asked one longtime resident. “This isn’t leadership. It’s self-promotion.”

One taxpayer told Kenosha County Eye that the approximate half a million dollars in legal fees racked up by the village over the last few years—about ten times the normal amount—along with the possible misappropriation of public funds for an allegedly illegal walking path, “were a slap in all of our faces. She’s asking us to fix the problems she created.”

Despite all this, the board appears ready to move forward. Bucur (D) and her bloc of trustees have so far shown no signs of reining in Hiller’s proposal. Meanwhile, residents say they’re being ignored—again.

“This isn’t public engagement,” one resident said. “This is salesmanship disguised as outreach.”

The borrowing plan will be taken up in future board meetings. Whether any of the public’s frustration will matter by then remains to be seen.

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