County needs to offer more explanation of budget proposals

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, November 9, 2022

In response to County Exeutive Dave Somer’s proposed budget and every other proposed budget, why is there no true transparency? (“County council vote on $1.5 billion budget set for Wednesday,” The Herald, Nov. 7)

If taxpayers are expected to buy into the endless requests for money from us, I submit it would be a reasonable expectation that those in charge would provide a full, transparent and thought-through math equation. What I ask for is this: a) if you want more money from taxpayers for schools, emergency services, law enforcement, social services, county administrative operations, etc., please provide the following — instead of just a number and vague description — the projected increases in revenue forecast based on the value of properties scheduled to be taxed in the upcoming year, as well as all other taxes and fees being paid from any source prior to the addition of increased taxes and fees; and b) a full and accurate description of where those dollars will be spent, and how programs and projects will be maintained, including those costs to be placed on the shoulders of taxpayers when federal dollars expire.

The use of large amounts of federal one-time dollars feels really good when we can spend them;especially when used for much needed programs. But when the dollars go away, taxpayers are again approached with “we have to keep the programs and projects running!”

The lack of transparency, planning and forethought for future impacts in this budget is stunning. You have to show your work to pass a grade school math test. Why should our state, local, and in this case, county decision makers not meet the same standard?

Carol Peverly

Lake Stevens