L&T Publisher Earl Watt
I have been impressed with the reasoned response and diligent work of the public after the recent massive tax hike by three of the Seward County commissioners.
Your phone calls have been heartening to know so many of you are paying attention and are willing to take action to do what you believe is right.
Over the years many have stopped by the office and visited with me about running for office. That goes for some currently on the commission, both for and against the recent decision to support a record-setting tax hike.
A common response I tell anyone seeking public office is it can either be a very rewarding or a very disappointing experience depending on how you view the public. “If you are willing to put your own wants and desires aside, to listen to the people, and then carry out those wishes, you are going to have a great time. If you believe you have information that makes you smarter than the public and you base your decisions on that information, this isn’t going to be much fun.”
A well-intentioned office holder doesn’t treat information as currency. They freely exchange with the public, they tell what they know, and the public in turn responds with reason.
But when commissioners make comments like, “They don’t know the whole story,” the question becomes, “Why don’t they?” Who is withholding key information?
Public service is very little decision-making and a whole lot of asking tons of questions and sharing that information with others.
George Washington wanted to attack New York City where the British were headquartered when the French forces joined the American forces. But the French leadership as well as his own generals cautioned against it and instead headed to Virginia to face Cornwallis at Yorktown.
Washington listened, and the rest is history.
It’s amazing what can be accomplished when we listen to all voices, and not just a select few.
The public had some legitimate questions concerning the budget, including whether or not a commission can raise the mill levy for an expected court decision that has yet to be made.
According to a variety of statutes, the answer is no, and it was the work of citizens to review the statutes to discover the inability to tax the public on a “what if.” There are options for counties after decisions are rendered, and according to statutes if a county has no means of making payment it can issue no-fund warrants and then spread the repayment up to five years.
But that option was cast in a bad light by staff right before the vote and shared as though the debt would have to be paid in one year.
When county counsel was asked about the requirement that funds for repayment were supposed to be place in a restricted fund detached from other funds, like the general fund, he said he didn’t have the information to provide an opinion.
But three commissioners decided to act without legal advice, advice that was found within days by members of the public.
It appears by not giving the public credit for its concerns and by not seeking legal counsel, but only receiving input from administration, it’s quite possible the massive tax hike is in violation of state laws governing taxation and county budgeting practices.
The commission could have set funds aside in a restricted fund for potential legal fees, but anyone who attended the town halls or RNR hearing knows the request was for a specific case that has yet to be decided and therefore is an unknown.
Listen to the public. Trust the public, and you will enjoy the job. Go it alone, and mistakes can be made.
The fate of the current budget may not yet be decided, but the court of public opinion is starting to render a verdict.
Elected officials put their political careers at risk when they choose to give no credence to public input.
It’s sad, because all it takes is the ability to listen and respect the public rather than offering tacit responses as though that satisfies the concern.
The people do not exist to serve the county. The county exists to serve the people.
