Letter to Editor | Just say no!

||| FROM PHIL PETERSON |||

A no vote on Proposition 1 will force needed change in the way we the people, our elected representatives and our essential public servants do our business. 

At issue is AFFORDABILITY for all of us. Inflation resonating through our economy continues to effect each and every one of us and we the people must have an INFORMED VOTE on  adjustments to our taxes based on comprehensive, consolidated and accurate information as we go forward.  

FIRST: Reject the current “All or Nothing” piecemeal approach. Instead we can insist that all taxing entities, County, Fire, School, etc., make their funding requests at the same special election. We do that by simply voting NO to any request that doesn’t meet the deadline. 

SECOND: Eliminate the deceptive “Only $22 a month” by publishing a simple table that lists each request, shows the cost projection for a range of property values, both monthly and annually to truly inform voters.

THIRD: Budgets must be aligned and examined by a “Third Party” to reveal duplication, overlap, “sacred cows”, etc. Elected board members, commissioners, and council members typically don’t formulate budgets. “Staff” formulates budgets; presents them, explains them, and rationalizes the costs, while incorporating “administrative self interest.” 

Don’t get me wrong, it’s human nature to support self interest. Every comment on this issue, including mine, does so, but all stakeholders need to be aware of it, challenge it and be willing to seek equitable compromises.

FOURTH: All too often “staff”recommends budgetary cuts which favor high profile punitive reductions to coerce voters. Our elected representative must keep that in mind and remember that they are not a rubber stamp. They and only they have sole discretionary authority over each and every line of the budget.

This is a “Home Rule” County. We the People are empowered by our votes and a NO vote is our most potent tool to break the “all or nothing”coercive cycle we are facing.