Another point on which there seems to be a lot of confusion: the revenue from Prop 1 goes only to the county current expense fund (the fund that pays for public safety and general government services) and that fund comprises less than 7.2 percent of total property taxes. Over 80 percent of our property taxes go elsewhere — to state and local schools and special purpose districts like fire and hospitals. (Many of these taxes are voter approved.)
This levy is the most stable source of revenue to pay for sheriff’s officers and public health programs and other essential services in Island County. The other sources of revenue — primarily sales taxes — have been hammered by the current recession. So even after the county has cut the budget by more than $4 million and laid off more than 60 workers — there simply isn’t enough money to pay for what we need and expect from the county.
Finally — 57 percent of the county’s budget (the funds that are not legally mandated and restricted for specific purposes like roads) goes to pay for law and justice. Do the math; because public safety takes up the majority of the budget, if Proposition 1 doesn’t pass, the Sheriff’s Department will face major cuts. As will the county social safety net programs and public health services.
I’m just as frustrated as the next person about the realities of our current economy; it hurts. But, putting that frustration aside, at the end of the day I want the basic county services there when they are needed by me, my neighbors and by our local businesses. So I’m willing to pay the extra $3.50 or so a month that peace of mind costs.
Kim Drury
Langley
