I find it hugely interesting that just after the proposed new business license tax goes down in flames, our departing county manager is quoted as saying that "The general fund is close to being balanced and current projections show we will be able to replace the reserves used to balance last year's budget." Funny how those reserves were never mentioned while proffering a new tax burden on business.
County manager heir apparent, Michael Brown, uses "funny math" to indicate a reduction in revenues by stating "Portions of the state consolidated tax are down by an estimated $450,000. We typically see a $500,000 to $750,000 increase ... so that's at least a $1 million hit for the county's general fund." My question is, if you never had the $500,000 to $750,000 in the first place, how is not getting it still a hit? My income will not go up this year by $450,000. Does that mean I have taken a hit of that amount? Of course not.
The story about services that will be lost, in the March 16 edition, lists possible reductions in services at parks, libraries, etc. It also states the senior meal program is in jeopardy. While those issues could and should be addressed, I'm pretty sure folks can hold their own Easter egg hunts and those wishing to fund the concerts in the park can do so, at their own cost. I'm not sure how or when those functions became the responsibility of all taxpayers in the county in the first place. Nice if you have loads of money to spread around, but an unnecessary burden when you don't.
The story also points out that although building related revenues are down about $200,000, property tax revenues are up by 8.5 percent, or $950,000 and the newly imposed business utility tax should bring in an additional $630,000. For the math challenged in your audience, that represents an increase of $1.58 million, or $1.38 million more than the $200,000 decrease in building revenues. We could discuss the negative impact on building related revenue the Sustainable Growth folks have had, but we'll save that for another tome and time.
It seems logical to me that if we have the ability to replace reserves, have an expected increase of over $1.3 million for the general fund, we need not be employing scare tactics, especially where senior meals are concerned. The spider in the woodpile seems to be the unfunded mandate of indigent care. Such begs the question, what is our county government doing to lobby the state Legislature to correct this problem? What plans do we have in place to correct this situation? Who in the county commission has taken the lead in this serious issue?
In closing, let me point out that I am not aware of a more benevolent, charitable society or community on this Earth. The people of Douglas County, the citizens of this community, are the most giving and charitable I have ever seen. From the volunteer fire department, the seniors on patrol, the search and rescue team, the list goes on and on.
Every time there is a grave illness or unexpected death, people seem to flock to set up bank accounts and donate money. We have volunteers cleaning up trails, serving senior meals, driving seniors to medical appointments or drunks home on New Years eve, Why can't volunteers keep the fairgrounds and Topaz park open?
All that is needed is some guidance from the county. As pertains to the indigent, perhaps we should take our cue from the board game Monopoly. We could easily set up a "Community Chest," wherein a board of directors could hear requests for grants, perhaps on a monthly basis, to help those in need. Heck we could even help the county out, assuming a proven and worthy need. We could set it up as a 501c3 non-profit establishment, to which I am absolutely positive our business community would gladly donate.
We'd much rather do that than be threatened with seizure and investigations to enforce a new tax. I'll be the first to pledge $1,000 to such an endeavor. Anybody else want to head in such a direction, rather than constantly inventing new ways to tax the people of Douglas County?
n Rick Campbell is a Gardnerville resident and Valley businessman.
