Letter: Charter Amendment 25 to the finish line!

Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the author alone and may not reflect the editorial position of ClarkCountyToday.com

When it comes to the county budget, taxes are a big part of it; They help fund law enforcement, schools, building projects, etc. But based on my assessment, the county has abused taxes into a default answer for everything.

Gabriel Silliman
La Center

In the past four years as county councilor, Sue Marshall has passed over $8 million worth of property tax increases – a record number for any councilor! That's not including all the other tax increases, new taxes, and fees that she's passed during her one term in office.

To put property taxes in perspective: the previous 12 years, they were only raised between $4 million and $5 million.

Troy McCoy, who will replace Sue Marshall as county councilor next year, said in a candidate forum responding to a question concerning the county budget, "I don't think there's a lot of room for tax increases in this." Yet, later when he was asked his thoughts on Charter Amendment 25, which will require four of the five councilors to approve tax increases instead of three out of five, he stated, "80% is a bar we don't ask anybody to meet ... you are going to elect people to make decisions – allow them to make those decisions! Eighty percent is too high of a bar, it's political red meat, and unfortunately, it's not very well thought out."

It has been said that this amendment is undemocratic, but with four out of five councilors, it requires broader support from the council to approve tax increases, which would represent the people better.

It's been said that this amendment would stall county development and procedures, but requiring broader support would help encourage the council to look for more affordable and efficient ways to serve the county instead of giving the default answer of "let's raise your taxes to fund this!"

The election results look promising for this amendment to the charter, and I hope those serving in leadership positions will think more clearly before they even consider raising more taxes on the citizens of Clark County.

They have to realize that things like this add up over time, and it burdens residents of our community instead of benefiting them and their way of life.

We the people have spoken!

God bless.

Gabriel Silliman
La Center