Wicomico Budget - It’s All Because of the Revenue Cap
If you actually believe this, then voluntarily send more money in to the county.
Today’s Daily Times provides evidence that the mainstream media loves big government and those that love to spend the money of the average taxpayer. Reading Greg Latshaw’s piece almost makes me want to change my voter registration.
According to the Daily Times, Wicomico County Executive Rick Pollitt, and even Wicomico County Council President John Cannon there is just no place to cut. Not only are they mistaken, Pollitt’s ongoing parlor trick of blaming the county’s revenue cap for every conceivable fiscal problem has grown old to the point that even a die hard cap opponent such as myself is no longer in favor of its repeal.
Pollitt’s embrace of the O’Malley tax increase is evidence that a Pollitt administration should not be permitted to increase property taxes. Pollitt’s initial claim that his support of the Governor’s tax plan was “to protect funding to Wicomico County” has blown up in his face. Not only are we paying higher taxes, funding to the county is expected to fall. This is why Pollitt and the County Council are now faced with a “flat budget”.
Are there alternatives? Of course there are. For starters, county employees do not have to receive a 3.5% pay hike. I know, it’s a “cost of living” adjustment. How many voters working in the private sector are receiving pay hikes of 3.5%? On a recent trip south I learned that the city of Virginia Beach is providing it’s employees a hike of 1.5%.
If the council shows some political courage and cuts (or eliminates) this pay hike they will have accomplished several things. First, they will show their constituents that taxes are levied to pay for a county government that will provide those services that are necessary. This means things like public education (which Maryland citizens long ago determined is a necessary service) and law enforcement (to provide for public safety and to protect private property - which is the FIRST charge of government according to political philosophers going back to Locke).
Is it necessary for taxpayers to subsidize myriad non-profits? Valid arguments can be made for entities such as the Humane Society because they provide services that the vast majority of citizens deem necessary and the government would have to provide these services in their stead. Others are more difficult to justify. Sure, there are constituencies for each and every one. Sure, these are “nice” things to have and make us all feel warm and cuddly. Are they necessary? Are they part of the county’s governmental mission?
The Board of Education budget, taking up the largest share of the county budget, is an obvious place for substantial cuts. I realize that it is difficult to trim ALL of the fat from a large, bureaucratic enterprise such as the WCBOE. I also realize that a greater effort should be made. A recent example was posted recently. A large enterprise such as the WCBOE should be managed more like business. Poor performance should not be provided blanket protection. If an employee is not doing their job they should be dismissed rather than left where they are or transferred off to another department (which seems to be the preferred method of our local school system). ANY pay increases should be awarded based on performance rather than seniority. EVERY position should have an express purpose and a measurable performance standard. The economic boom of the 90’s was due primarily to increases in private sector productivity. Can you imagine what kind of surplus the county would run if it demanded similar increases in productivity?
Last, but certainly not least is the need to cut taxes. Councilman Joe Holloway (R-5) called for a cut in the county’s income (piggy-back) tax rate earlier this year. Hopefully the council will vote for adequate spending cuts to pay for such a reduction. Even if the tax cut is small, the message would be loud and clear - the Wicomico County Council cares about its taxpaying citizens.
cross posted at Salisbury NewsSphere: Related Content
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