Vote yes on upcoming property tax levy

The actual dollar amounts associated with the upcoming county levy lift are pretty nominal. So what it comes down to is principle.

Should government be held accountable for managing our tax dollars, regardless of the toll it takes on services? Or do community needs outweigh the importance of sending a message to the county?

In this case, pushing for government accountability can only hurt.

The first to get cut from county budgets are the “non-mandated” programs. You know, the ones that lend assistance to seniors, support our youth, protect our health, and enrich our communities. They are pretty essential to most of us, but when it comes to the bottom line, they’re expendable.

Which is why we support the county’s upcoming levy lid lift in the November election. A six-year lift of 12 cents per thousand of assessed value would ensure that 4-H, senior services, county parks, and WSU extension programs can continue running. If approved, the increase would add about $54 onto the annual property-tax bill of a $450,000 home.

The current property tax rate is 48.336 cents per $1000 assessed value, which is one of the lowest in the state. The levy rate would fall back after six years to where it would have been without the increase unless it’s reinstated by voters. A similar property-tax levy that fuels the county Road Fund will not be affected by the proposed increase in the general-fund levy or results Nov. 3 general election.

The council has set out, in no uncertain terms, how the additional money would be spent over the next six years.

If approved, a 12-cent property-tax increase would raise roughly $960,000 a year and fund these programs and positions: Senior services, $211,000; County Parks, $200,000; Reduce number of days county offices are closed, $140,000; WSU Extension programs, $129,000; Public health and immunization clinics, $112,000; Restore correctional officer to FT, $42,000; Restore deputy prosecutor to FT: $45,000; DEM manager salary, $50,000; Maintenance of building and grounds, $18,000; Islands’ Oil Spill Association, $8,000; County Fair, $5,000.

Our county is not alone. We can’t speak to whether or not our money could have been managed better, but we do know this: county governments across the country are struggling. A slumping economy has forced many communities to cut services that are vital. Let’s not be another statistic. Let’s cough up just a little extra change come tax season to help preserve our quality of living.