WHAT DO TAXPAYERS WANT?

Three hot button issues in Washington County: tax reassessment, the County Health Center and Citizens Library have something important in common.  All three are part of an ongoing tug of war between providing public funds to correct inequalities and/or pay for public services on the one hand and to provide relief to the elusive “taxpayer” on the other.  It is important for taxpayers to understand and weigh in on this debate. We must collectively consider what is an acceptable quality of life and how much we are willing to pay in the form of taxes to achieve it. We must stop electing our officials with the singular goal of “saving taxes” to the detriment of other projects and public institutions.

Many view the classic property tax revolt of the modern era to be the adoption of Proposition 13 in California.  The framers of this drastic cut in public funds argued that because bureaucrats squander collected revenues and because property taxes are unfair to older residents on fixed incomes, property taxes should be minimal. 

The right to have and preserve a home was seen as paramount to funding schools, nursing homes, parks, street repair, libraries and garbage collection.  Wealthy California citizens in their palatial estates came out on top by saving enough in property taxes to send their children to private schools.  While slowly, other types of taxing authority were created to take up the slack, many average citizens in California watched their communities deteriorate beyond repair.

What Californians and others who have adopted similar plans have learned is that you get what you pay for.  Roads and streetlights are unimportant until the former are riddled with pot holes and the latter go dark and invite crime.  Inferior schools result in lower property values and hinder business growth in the community.  Closing libraries and fewer green spaces lower the quality of life.

So what does this have to do with Washington County?   It is time for citizens, tax payers all, to take stock of what they expect from their elected officials.  Not raising taxes cannot be the only measure of success.  While we must certainly take a stand to insure that tax revenues are spent wisely, we must also insist that there be adequate revenue to maintain a public space worth living in.

The County reassessment process was expensive and is causing short term uncertainty for local officials until the appeal process is completed.  To those who claim the process was a waste of public funds I would point out two simple facts.  First, many poorer and older County homeowners now have their property taxes lowered to reflect actual values in their neighborhoods. (Ironically, in aiding the over assessed and making the process equitable, reassessment accomplished one of the major goals of Proposition 13) Second, those who have an increased tax burden should be overjoyed at their savings after many years of paying too little and if these homeowners are reflective, even proud to step up and pay their fair share.

County taxpayer dollars and the future of the County Health Center are closely linked.  It is clear that the more taxpayer dollars committed to the Home (with less privatization) the higher the level of care for residents and the more jobs preserved at the facility. 

The taxpayer dollars of municipalities who come under the jurisdiction of Citizens Library and the future of Citizens Library are closely linked.  If these municipalities continue to cut long standing library commitments, hours will be cut, employees will be laid off and as surpluses are depleted the building will be shuttered.

I understand that attacking a complicated tax reform process is an easier target for elected officials than reducing tax incentives given to large Southpointe Corporations.  I get it that the County Home is a more expedient way to save tax dollars than taking on the too rich salaries, medical benefits and pensions of County employees.  I know it is easier to get elected to Council in East Washington with one campaign promise of “no new taxes”, then to develop a contingency plan for emergency road work or to merge with another municipality.  But as a taxpayer, I do not have to agree with the easier and softer way.

For those of us interested in encouraging what is just and worth saving in Washington County it is time to throw down the gauntlet.  On my part, I urge the Commissioners to dedicate public funds to maintain and update the assessment process on a regular basis.  Second, I am in favor of maintaining the County Health Center in its present form, with no or limited privatization.  Third, my message to the East Washington Council is to reinstate the commitment of $15,000.00 in funding to support Citizens Library. 

Other responsible options to save tax dollars should be explored. In the event taxes must be increased to cover any or all of these expenditures, I welcome the increase.

Hopefully, other taxpayers will let our elected officials know that “saving and/or lower taxes” is not the sole reason for supporting their election or tenure in office.  Equitable assessments, public health centers and funded libraries matter.  Concerned citizens should be willing to speak up, suggest alternatives to save on expenditures and ultimately to pay for the projects and institutions worth preserving.