County must get priorities straight

There has been much discussion lately regarding the Snohomish Health District’s fiscal wellness.

It is very disturbing to hear of the county’s purchase of property for $31 million, hoping to make a windfall profit. To date, the property has not sold, costing taxpayers $100,000 per month in loan payments. The County Council also wants to spend $160 million for an addition to the County Courthouse because the quarters are cramped!

This type of action is irresponsible on the part of the County Council. Yet, in 2004, it directed the Snohomish Health District, which currently serves a population of 700,000, to spend down its reserves meant to cover emergency and futures costs. Dr. M. Ward Hinds, the district’s health officer, advised against this, informing the council this would lead to devastating cuts in public health services in 2009.

Just as Dr. Hinds has advised each year since 2004, after a decade of flat funding from the state and 15 years of flat funding from the county, the Snohomish Health District will be forced to cut programs, services and staff by 30 percent with a shortfall of $4.4 million in 2009.

In County Councilman Dave Gossett’s 2008 budget address, he speaks of sound fiscal management and having a reserve of 11 percent for weathering economic downturn, yet the council directed the Health District to spend its reserves.

The County Council has its priorities wrong when it is willing to decimate critical public health programs such as disease prevention, health promotion and protection from environmental threats. Yet they are willing to increase taxes for a new government building, and increase their budget and annual spending to unsustainable levels.

The health and welfare of the citizens of Snohomish County should be a top priority for the Snohomish County Council, and there needs to be solid funding in place from the state and counties for all local health jurisdictions in this state.

Diane Janisko