When I was elected Snohomish County executive last fall, I inherited a number of challenges. From unbalanced budgets to illegal ballfields, from deficit spending to declining voter confidence, I knew it was time to break old political habits.
We are acting to resolve these challenges and my administration will continue to exercise the steady leadership our citizens expect. But, it is going to take partnership, not partisanship. No one person or political party can solve these problems. Business as usual is not an option and delaying difficult decisions is unacceptable. We must work together to move forward and get Snohomish County back on track and in the black.
Revenues have been steadily declining but spending has continued. The 2003 budget included a $9 million deficit and the 2004 budget included a $5 million deficit. The 2005 budget outlook approved by the County Council in December 2003 projected a more than $7 million deficit – despite a property tax increase. This overspending led to the decline of Snohomish County’s bond rating that same year.
To make matters worse, jail costs increased and an overly optimistic forecast showing savings from efficiencies never materialized. If we were to allow business as usual, the 2005 budget would actually include a deficit of more than $13 million. I feel strongly that this county must get out of the deficit business and get its fiscal house in order.
Exercising fiscal discipline now will help prevent budget volatility and drastic measures such as tax increases and layoffs from occurring in the future. The magnitude of Snohomish County’s problems demands that we employ solutions that will lead to a more prosperous future. We simply cannot afford to use cosmetic fixes to cover the budget deficit. Our citizens and employees are mature and thoughtful individuals and they can handle the truth. We have reached out to them during this process and they expect us to speak plainly and honestly.
I do not believe that government can solve all the problems that exist. However, I do believe that government has a positive role to play in society. Despite the significance of the challenges our county faces, the current situation affords us the opportunity to fundamentally change the way our government does business.
We must redefine the role of local government to achieve long-term fiscal solvency. I believe government should base the delivery of services on long-term objectives and the values we all share. To do this we have created a priority-based budget that uses the most efficient, effective and accountable method to deliver services to the citizens of Snohomish County.
We must also balance the budget and put an end to deficit spending this year. Delay and denial will deepen the financial burden we face. We must set benchmarks and, when necessary, modify the services we provide to produce the greatest value for every dollar. Through this approach, we will show our citizens that government can establish priorities. And, we will demonstrate that we are focusing resources only on services that have proven effective in meeting these priorities.
A priority-based budget will increase the ability of government to serve the citizens of Snohomish County. In the face of growing cynicism and shrinking revenues, it is critical that government reinvent itself and prove itself worthy of additional public investment. In addition to redefining the role of local government, the county must live within its means and put an end to deficit spending.
I have submitted to the County Council an ordinance establishing a reserve fund and spending lid. This will ensure fiscal solvency for Snohomish County and provide a level of financial stability crucial to long-term planning and budget development. Unfortunately, this proposal has sat idle for nearly two months. In fact, no hearing has been scheduled.
Increasing accountability, prioritizing government services, establishing a disciplined financial plan and setting a limit on spending are basic functions of government that are long overdue.
It is inappropriate to neglect the needs of our citizens by engaging in partisan bickering or failing to act due to the sheer complexity of our problems. Civic leaders must communicate a long-term vision rather than drift without a sense of purpose. I believe we can do better and I believe our citizens deserve better.
Prior to being elected county executive, I served both in the Washington state House of Representatives and the Senate. During that time I had the honor to work with members of both parties who knew the true meaning of bi-partisanship. I am proud to have been part of a group of moderate lawmakers who balanced the state budget without raising taxes and who joined to defeat attempts at removing long-time spending lids. While we did not always agree, we respected each other and worked together for the long-term interest of our citizens. Our ideas may have differed but we never engaged in personal attacks.
It is time for the rhetoric to end.
Aaron Reardon, a Democrat, is the Snohomish County executive.
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