||| FROM NATHAN KESSLER-JEFFREY |||
As we all consider the County’s proposed levy lid lift, I hope we take a moment to consider the true impact of a “no” vote. I’m a property owner, and yeah, voting ‘yes’ will increase taxes about $22 per month to maintain services. But a no vote will cost us so much more. A ‘no’ vote comes with significant and lasting costs to our community.
The working plan if the levy doesn’t pass is for the County to lay off 30 to 40 employees to balance the budget. Those numbers represent real people and essential services we rely on every day.
Cuts to courthouse staffing mean fewer local services, pushing residents off-island for basic needs like licensing and vehicle registration—adding time, expense, and another ferry trip.
Reductions in the health department would directly impact vulnerable residents, including seniors who depend on Meals on Wheels, the WIC program, public health nurses, and vaccine clinics. Again, more off-island travel for care that we currently have the benefit of receiving locally.
Sheriff’s Office cuts would mean fewer deputies and less coverage across our islands, impacting public safety. Reductions in the planning department would slow permitting and code review, affecting homeowners and builders. Reductions in the parks department could result in deferring maintenance and slower services.
In short, a “no” vote doesn’t save $22—it shifts the cost into lost services, increased travel, and reduced safety and support. I don’t use every service that could be cut or reduced, but I love living in a community where those services are available to the people that need them. The price of a ‘no’ is higher than it first appears, and benefits of a ‘yes’ are well worth the cost.
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Thanks for thinking in terms of a functional community. Pragmatism in politics is really important right now. No one is coming to save us, and saving ourselves means working and planning together for best possible outcomes given our available resources.
Good discussion to have. Fully agree a SJC levy lift is in order since the 1% plus new construction increase hasn’t kept up with inflation since 2020 although SJC taxable valuations have soared.
If the levy FAILS: SJC will collect more taxpayer money next year than in 2026. This year, SJC’s General Fund will collect $8,076,770 at the current levy rate of $.54499/ $1,000.
With the 1%+ current legal annual increase and new construction trending downward, they will most likely experience an existing levy increase of about 1.3% in 2027, which would collect about $8,181,700. I’m having trouble equating that admittedly small tax collection increase to the claim of having to reduce staffing by 30-40 employees and significant other costs to the community. Fully agree some reductions would be in order because both salaries and overall cost of running government is going to be greater than the addition funds under the existing levy.
If the levy PASSES (resets to $.85/$1,000) : Assuming the overall SJC tax valuations increase 1%, SJC’s general fund would collect about $12,723,000. That’s a $4,541,000 increase (55.5%), and that would be the new basis for the following years until the County Council and voters approve another levy amount.
The fundamental voter issue is whether a 55% SJC General Fund increase is reasonable.
Let me see if I understand this correctly:
I’m tired of squandered funds…
VOTE NO
make them work their finances the way we do, BUDGET BETTER
Individuals who make over $100,000 a year in the county, working 30 hrs a week getting full benefits and pay for 40 hrs a week, are asking those of us working 40 to 80 hrs a week, not able to afford medical benefits to paymore for their miss management if money….
Nope I’m tired of paying for mismanagement of funds….
Eastsound water department, Opalco,
Schools and the ‘we are going to provide a 25/7 clinic’ medical center to just name a few.
But by all means while we pay $180,000 for a chef financial auditer, over $200,000 for managers that are not qualified, with board members with agendas….
Please vote no
Or
Vote yes and watch them come back in a few years again and say sorry we overspend and need more.
How many more times will it take for people to understand that the gap continues to get bigger because you allow it…..
This is not a right or left issue.
It’s those who are well-paid not wanting to get paid less but get raises….
While I am sympathetic to KESSLER-JEFFREY’s sentiments, “It’s ONLY $22 a month more” is simply this year’s variant on the same line that gets trotted out every single time the county “only” wants an extra $264 from each of us.
This year, 2026, I am being asked to pay nearly seven thousand dollars in property taxes on my home. Let me put this in perspective: I paid thirty thousand for this land in 1999 and I built the house myself. I plan to grow old(er) and eventually die in my home, so “rising property valuations” don’t do anything to actually change my life or situation except by giving the county another excuse to raise my taxes; San Juan County property taxes are now the largest regular expense in my life.
I spend more on county property taxes than I do on food.
There has GOT to be a better way to equitably fund county government.
I wish we were hearing more from individuals like Mr Wood who have spent over 30 years paying taxes here in San Juan Co.
My point is, cost have increased dramatically, no one here doesn’t recognize that but the narrative has to change… The tail starts to wag the dog.
Getting or creating a larger purce is an option, one that tends to divide the have from have nots.. As I transition into retirement.. I find myself busier filling voids for others that are being less fortunate, their funds that were once Sufficient now living a lesser life by increasing costs that others vote in.. They are in essence being displaced. I have been a worker on these islands almost 40 years, successful, served on many boards, committees and Commissions.. and find myself asking, where is the grace in our beloved Community to do no harm..
We as a people feel strongly that we are doing the right thing by creating wonderful programs. We’ll look around at our aging partners. Are we looking forward to, or are we buying our future demise. Balance is nature, a Balancing of our Counties Budget should also reflect health and good governance.
Are We Exemplifing this currently, Are we walking our walk, if so then this pit in our stomach should not feel so sour when voting our neighbors future opportunities as well as options.