Editorial

Editorial

The right choice

The Board of Supervisors is in a tough spot.

It is faced with a massive, 48 percent increase in real estate taxes, with few choices available to ease the burden. To its credit, the board has refused to cut programs and personnel which have become necessary as the county grows.

Although we suspect that most residents are not overjoyed at the prospect of paying nearly half again as much next year as they paid in taxes this year, there was only one speaker at last week’s public hearing to protest the increase.

Perhaps it’s apathy, or resignation, that led to former supervisor Newbill Miller standing alone in his opposition to the increasing size and scope of the county’s programs and services.

To be fair, no one spoke in favor of the increases either -- at least not directly. The county employees who did speak, however, made it clear that they don’t think it is right that they, in essence, take a pay cut next year because of the lower level of funding for their health insurance.

We think they’re correct, and we’re glad the supervisors have apparently reconsidered their earlier decision to cut back on the funding for health insurance.

Unfortunately, we don’t think this is the last time that the Board of Supervisors will face this problem. It is going to be an unpleasant choice: raise salaries and benefits to keep the county at least somewhat competitive with our neighbors or see the best people leave for more lucrative positions elsewhere.

It’s not just a matter of salaries. Even if the county pays insurance for its employees, if they have family, coverage for them may cost an additional $100 a month or more—paid out of the employee’s pocket. That’s not pocket change potatoes if the person has several children who need food, clothing and shelter. Add to that rent or mortgage payments, utility bills and car payments, and the take home pay from an $18,000 a year salary starts to look pretty slim.

In addition to better salaries, other nearby counties offer more fringe benefits. Some have dental insurance. Then there’s the matter of a retirement plan. How can we expect someone to move here and dedicate their professional life to the county if, when they reach retirement age, we give them nothing but a gold watch, a hearty handshake and a sincere “Thank you!”

There’s an ancient, timeworn axion that says, “You get what you pay for.” That’s true in private business, and it’s true for public employees too. Our residents expect to have capable people managing the county, and those employees have a right to expect reasonable compensation in return.

The members of the Board of Supervisors are going to take some heat for their decisions about the budget this year, specifically the large tax increase. They will also likely hear some criticism about their reversal on the health insurance question.

But we think they’re right. The^county’s employees shouldn’t have to take a pay cut, in whatever form it’s presented.