Who Is Making It Unaffordable To Who?
Long time county personnel did a budget presentation within the year that showed severe structural deficits despite record income at Washoe County. They talked about the lack of funding for essential services, elected departments, and talked about the difference in home buying power for local v. non-local buyers. It highlighted the difficulty of living in the area now and the increasing difficulty in the future. Just 6 short years ago, the County made a statement that affirmed the value of the Leadership at that time. They talked plainly about being prudent and proactive with residents’ taxes and contributions in good years so that the budget was sustainable and beneficial to all residents in down and even years. The leadership now would have been wise to heed the advice and values from previous years to protect the residents. But it has not. And the locals, young people, seniors and middle-income earners are the populations that suffer the most.
The county has implemented increased and non-essential programming with increased, unsustained revenue need that can’t be met with current revenue streams. This is despite having more income than the county has ever had. What’s even more troubling is that these increased non-essential programs have cut into basic infrastructure and maintenance needs that benefit and serve all residents. Roads, capital maintenance, service delivery, elected departments, and other essential services have less resources than they did while we had about 40% less money coming in to the budget just 6 short years ago.
County employee costs have raised an average of 25% per employee costs over the past 6 years. This year, employee costs account for 78% of the budget. County personnel knew that collective bargaining agreements were likely to contribute to a budget issue, yet current commission leadership chose to run the budget up to a deficit despite these warnings.
No entity can do everything. No jurisdiction, no company, no household. Every entity has to prioritize the values that they feel are the most worthy of funding, time and manpower. Will we provide for Senior housing or more homeless housing and resources? Do we have programs that come with accountability and dignified life progress or simply a place to go at tax payer expense? What can be cut in each department at 5% or more to provide for the guaranteed pay raises of every employee every year? What do we define as essential and how will we fund those services? Are we willing to increase the financial burden on all residents to keep the decisions that made the budget unsustainable in the first place?
If we are going to create public policy that allows residents to live here affordably, we have to switch public policy direction immediately. If we continue on the path we’re on, it will continue to further disenfranchise and burden the people who depend on the Leadership the most.
Support Trista Gomez To Win In Washoe District 3
You can help change the direction of Washoe County with just one vote! Support Trista Gomez with a contribution to the Friends of Trista Gomez who are working hard to get her elected.
With your contribution of just $20.26, you can help the campaign:
Buy more radio time - $50 each spot
Buy more television time - $80 - $2000 per spot
Social Media Campaign for one day - $500
Printing 5,000 door hangers to distribute to voters - $500
Support Trista Gomez today, so we can change the direction of Washoe County.
