Township Supervisor Addresses Accidental iPhone Charges

Supervisor Steve Rosendahl once again defended a this week, just days after the Better Government Association reported that taxpayers would be responsible for the bill.

According the the BGA report published May 2, Rosendahl incurred a $1,616 data transfer charge back in November after accidentally downloading emails to his township-issued iPhone during a trip to Mexico. The total bill — due in January — was $1,760.81.

Rosendahl, who has been the township supervisor for the past six years, said he was shocked by the bill, and immediately contacted AT&T to dispute he charge. After the company refused to budge, Rosendahl made the decision to expense the entire tab, leaving taxpayers to pick up the cost.

He felt it was appropriate, given that the download was township-related, he said.

During the township's monthly meeting Tuesday, Rosendahl said thought the BGA article was "very accurate."

"I'm proud of the work that I do, and I'm not happy the bill was incurred," he said. "But it was done in the course of business. There's nothing inappropriate about that."

Rosendahl said he did his best to argue his bill with AT&T, but the company said it would only waive the charge if he signed up for an international package.

"I don't need an international package, I was on vacation," he said. "I declined their offer and submitted the bill (to the township) for payment."

Township Trustee Tim Garvey said he supported Rosendahl's decision to expense the bill because it was incurred while doing township work. At the time Rosendahl left, the new Lemont Township Community Center was in the middle of construction, and he was overseeing the project.

"We get a very good value for Steven Rosendahl," Garvey said. "He's one of the lowest paid people in Lemont Township and he's in charge of everything. My opinion is that we need to cut him a little slack."

Rosendahl said he would be more cognizant of his cell phone usage in the future.

"I will take great pains to make sure this doesn't happen again," he said.