Economies wax and wane, but populations and demands for public services are less fickle.
They just go up.
Ergo the challenge for elected officials and public agencies trying to maintain services in times of flagging revenues. The need for police and fire protection, efficient courts and effective social programs doesn’t recede just because the stock market dives or an anti-tax initiative passes.
In Kitsap County, commissioners find themselves constrained by the voter-approved Initiative 747, which limits increases in property tax collection to 1 percent annually without a vote of the people. Facing the upward spiral of health care coverage for county employees and other increases in the cost of doing the public’s business, commissioners are doing just that – asking the voters for money.
The Proposition No. 1 “lid lift” on the Nov. 5 ballot would tack on about 7.5 cents per $1,000 valuation to local property taxes – $22.50 per year on a $300,000 home. The money would forestall personnel cuts to the prosecutor’s office, the juvenile justice system and county parks.
Even if the measure is successful, the county’s general budget will still be cut by 4.9 percent in 2003. Proposition 1 is needed to maintain the justice system and other services that residents across the county count on – vote “Yes.”
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Do we need more ball fields?
What if they may come at the expense of more essential services? Voters may ask themselves such, as they consider Public Facilities District Proposition No. 1, a one-tenth of a cent local sales tax hike to fund active recreation projects around Kitsap.
We have no problem with the cause, or the cost – no consumer is going to notice an extra dime on their next $100 purchase at Costco. We would, though, note the increasing reliance on local sales tax measures to make up for public funding lost elsewhere. Last year, county voters approved a sales tax hike to shore up Kitsap Transit; next year, they’ll probably see a similar measure to fund the 911 system.
We’ll offer a “Yes” to the PFD hike for recreation facilities. But we’re not sure how much higher the voters (or the law) will allow the local sales tax to go – and other needs are lurking around the corner looking for funds.
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Bainbridge residents would no more forfeit the future of their county to sprawl than they would their own island. Nor would incumbent Kitsap County Commission candidate Tim Botkin, who deserves support on Nov. 5.
The land-use attorney and former hearing examiner has an acute understanding of the complex issues facing the county, and has been articulate and effective in his first term in office.
Some have attempted to tar Botkin for his support of “Smart Growth,” concepts that will sound familiar to islanders – sensible planning aimed at preserving natural resources and features. But with even the Kitsap homebuilders and real estate associations – neither known for particularly restrictive views on land use – already in the Smart Growth coalition, foes and opponent Patty Lent herself seem painfully behind the curve.
In an interview this week, Lent relied on bland generalities about over-taxation and over-regulation, and took a clear position against growth management. Voters should stick with Botkin.
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Both the county sheriff and coroner are administrative jobs, and the only good purpose in filling those offices by election is to remove a grievously unqualified incumbent. Because challengers have failed to offer remotely compelling arguments for ousting the incumbents, we endorse the re-election of Sheriff Steve Boyer and coroner Greg Sandstrom.
