When Itasca County Commissioners attempted to raise property taxes by nearly 10%, A4L sounded the alarm and Patriots across Itasca answered the call. Over 150 concerned citizens attended the Commissioner meeting and spoke out against the ridiculous tax hike. Due to grassroots pressure on the commissioners, the tax hike was nearly slashed in half to a 5.16% property tax increase.

While most Itasca citizens are still unhappy with the tax increase, they know that it would have been even worse if they did not get involved. One of the mechanisms used by the commissioners to lower the proposed tax levy was to freeze county employee salaries. This salary freeze was introduced by Commissioner John Johnson and passed in a 4-1 vote with Commissioner Terry Snyder voting no out of fear it would not stand legally. Now, we see that issue come to bear and  the perpetrator is not an outside source but rather one of Itasca County government’s own!

Itasca’s County Attorney, Jacob Fauchald, is suing the County Commissioners in order to BLOCK the salary freeze which would increase the tax levy! See below:

By removing the county’s salary freeze, the tax hike will be bumped up about 0.6% according to previous numbers mentioned by Commissioners (bringing the property tax hike back to a roughly 5.75% increase). Itasca residents have long been overtaxed with property taxes continually going up. Itasca seniors testified how they may lose their homes over the rising tax burden placed on them. Tax hikes are facing mass opposition yet Jacob Fauchald wants more of their hard-earned money.

Fauchald has never been elected to the role he now holds. In fact, Fauchald is only the Itasca Attorney because of Action 4 Liberty's and grassroots Itascans' efforts! After the then incumbent Itasca Attorney (Matti Adam) was appointed to a 9th Judicial District vacancy position by Tim Walz, the Itasca Commissioners attempted to appoint a greedy, carpet-bagging Keith Ellison puppet in the position. A4L sounded the alarm and exposed the lawyer, James Austad, for his endorsement and employment of Keith Ellison. Austad was even demanding a $25K salary increase in order to take the job!

Due to grassroots pressure at a June 11th, 2024 county commissioner meeting, Austad withdrew his name from nomination. In his place was Itasca Assistant County Attorney, Jacob Fauchald, who received the appointment shortly thereafter. Fauchald's initial salary was $140,000 but it was raised to $145,600 by a vote of the county commissioners, which is smaller than his predecessor’s salary ($154,277).

The decision by Fauchald to sue the Commissioners is stabbing Itasca citizens in the back. He holds the Attorney position because Itasca citizens stood up to the ANTIFA Keith nominee being shoved down their throats. Austad’s demands for a salary increase epitomized the issue with his nomination and it appears Fauchald has learned nothing from it.

During the tax hike commissioner meeting, several Itasca citizens noted how many Itasca government jobs were paying significantly more than other counties and how out of step salaries were with market rates. The least one could expect if employees are overpaid is a salary freeze, it at least keeps things at base level!

Fauchald has been accused by Itasca locals of intentionally mishandling rape cases and the prosecution against CD8 Dem Chair Cyndy Martin for her alleged drunk driving causing the death/hit-and-run of a 19 year old young man just outside of Nashwauk on the night of July 3rd, 2024. Fauchald has also seemingly expressed disdain at local citizens who attempt to serve him and Commissioners with lawsuits during meetings.

Jacob Fauchald is younger than most MN County Attorneys but youth is no excuse for actions like this. Citizens of Itasca can demand Fauchald drop the lawsuit to prevent sky-high property taxes from costing taxpayers even more. Since Fauchald is only in office due to grassroots opposition to liberal politicians, policy, and spending, he should be representing the interests of the grassroots. Until he is elected on his own merits with his own agenda, his agenda must be the People’s agenda. In this case, the People’s agenda is lower taxes.

Itasca residents can contact Jacob Fauchald and demand he withdraw his salary increase lawsuit immediately:

218-327-2867

[email protected]

Action 4 Liberty will keep Patriots up to date and will always represent the grassroots conservative movement of MN. Itasca residents are struggling with high taxes and expect their County Attorney to fight for them, not against them.