Budget Cuts on Essential Services

The Hayden City Council is currently debating the budget numbers for the general budget, including the sheriff contract with the sheriff’s office and Kootenai County. While some council members seem to support forming our own police department accountable to the mayor, I support keeping a contract with the sheriff who is elected by we the people.

The state of Idaho allows cities to raise their property taxes a maximum of 3% per year without going out for a vote of the public. While other council members routinely insisted on taking the full 3%, I have consistently sought to only take 2%.

This year, I again proposed only taking a 2% tax increase. I asked that the city not cut money from the budget for negotiating with the sheriff. Along with that, I suggested some common-sense and targeted cuts on non-essential expenses. When other council members did not support my proposal in the meeting, for the sake of time, I withdrew my proposal.

I believe the main issue in good governance of the city budget is to differentiate between necessary services the city must provide and things that are extras. During my first term in office, I have consistently voted against expenses that I considered wasteful. Why are we now making budget cuts to law enforcement which is an essential service?

As it stands, the other 3 council members voted to reduce the budget below what the sheriff requested by about $250,000. In doing so they have limited the amount we have to negotiate with. This may result in having fewer deputies to service Hayden. This may potentially reduce response time as well.

There’s a meeting August 26 at 4pm where the council will look at additional cuts. The Public Hearing will be at our 5PM meeting. This will be your last opportunity to speak up before the budget is final. Both meetings are open to the public.

I am committed to bringing frugality, impartiality, transparency, accountability, and professionalism to the Hayden City Council, as I believe these are essential qualities of good government.

Agenda for the 4PM meeting: https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Agenda/2366?meeting=705871 (may not be video recorded)

Agenda for the 5PM meeting: https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Agenda/2366?meeting=701295

Video of the August 19 meeting: https://www.youtube.com/live/JluGHGj8qBA?feature=shared

Thank you for reading and caring.

Sandy White