A different opinion

There is no question as to the importance of the emergency services provided to the citizens of Jackson County. I fully support efforts within the local fire and EMS departments. I differ with our city leadership as to the process by which we can maintain or increase our investments for these departments in the future. The City of Edna has a budget problem, not an EMS problem. 

Any increase in the property tax rate on structures (not land) reduces the desirability of investing into new buildings and discourages quality upgrades of existing structures. As the property taxes go up the property values will inevitability decrease. Increased property taxes also will lead to new construction that is smaller and less expensive than what would be the case in the absence of the higher tax rate.

To illustrate the impact of property taxes, within the Edna School District’s jurisdiction my employment compensation for the first 27 minutes of each 8 hour work day is required to pay the Jackson County Tax Collector. My home is modest and was built over 40 years ago. To me that’s half of the story. My eldest son lives in Corpus and his water rate is about 9% less than our Edna water rate. As you probably know a significant portion of Corpus’ water supply is pipelined to them from Jackson County. The water rate in the city of Hallettsville is almost half of what Edna’s water rate is. The same scenario applies to the sewer and garbage collection rates. Edna is an expensive place to live. If you look at the City of Edna’s budget for the past ten years it is obvious that the water, sewer and garbage collection rates are not higher solely because of operating costs. They are higher for the purposes of increased revenues. I call this a hidden usage tax. As far as possibly being provided a city tax rate cut if the ESD3 is passed, don’t hold your breath. There is obviously more than one way to fleece a taxpayer. 

The key to our city’s future is not higher taxes – it is growth. On a long term basis a city cannot increase the city’s revenues by devaluing the existing property or by discouraging future growth and investment. The more pressure you place on the taxpayers, the more folks will avoid Edna and settle and invest in the counties around us. 

What I would propose: The county leadership has to step forward and take the initiative. They must step out of their comfort zone and coordinate a county wide EMS strategy. It should involve the City of Edna, the City of Ganado, the Jackson County Hospital District and all of the EMS volunteer organizations within the county. The Jackson County Hospital District needs to be viewed as the primary EMS service provider. Its taxing capacity already involves the entire county. 

While I may not agree with everything the hospital district does, during the recent recession its economic record has been commendable. Its taxing footprint versus the return on investment is undeniable. Even if a new ESD has to be established it should involve as much of the county as is legally possible, not exclusive to a single school district. This county/city cannot afford redundancy. Existing tax funded EMS departments should be blended into one county wide effort.

For the county to say this is not a county issue is regrettable. In rural areas the county currently reimburses the city for these services. They have constituents which live outside of the city that are potentially facing a new tax. Properties located within the city limits are taxed on behalf of the county just as much as properties located outside of the city limits. Any property devaluation within the city has a direct impact on the county’s tax base. The county has skin in the game.

The majority of the fire department’s effort is provided by volunteers. It should be noted that in 2012 the proposed budget for the fire department was $116,235 while the EMS budget was $782,675. Please understand the budget concerns were not created by the EMS or fire departments. This is a city wide issue involving all departments. The reason we’re discussing these two departments is because it evokes an emotional leverage that the city leaders hope to capitalize on.   

One thing I am passionate about is that our elected officials have been entrusted with leading our community. That includes good times and rough times.  Tough decisions are just that – “tough”. We elect them to make those efforts on our behalf. Throwing it back on the voters to make the tough decisions is not leadership. Attrition is an option. Cutting administration cost is an option. Utilizing outsourcing is an option. Different times require different strategies and thinking outside of the box is a valuable asset.  Coming to the taxpayer with a hand out would be better viewed if all options had been thoroughly and sincerely explored.  

One additional note, whether it’s federal, state or local governments, a liberal is easily discovered by how they react to a budget crunch. A liberal will inevitably play on the taxpayers’ worst fears. They promptly march out the first responders and tell you that if you don’t vote for this tax increase “these folks” might go away. They don’t march out the new pool employee, the administrative clerks, the city maintenance employees or the city manager. 

Per the cities 2012 budget, EMS/Fire department costs makeup about one fifth of cities total expenditures. Property taxes are about 5% of their total revenue. So if the city gets the ESD3 passed this will truly be a windfall for the city. They will be more than fully funded on the backs of those whom they supposedly serve, at least for the interim.

Why I will be voting against ESD3:  I do not want my property to be devalued. I want a stronger EMS and fire Department for years to come. I do not want redundancy. I want proven fiscal management to control my EMS tax dollars. I do not want our local government choking the life and opportunity out of our community one tax dollar at a time. 

Tommy Srp

Edna, Texas