don't cut costs at risk of city safety

Politics is a harsh and cruel business. No matter how you look at it, there are only a few people who have the strength and intestinal fortitude to put themselves up for public criticism on a daily basis.

But they go into that world fully understanding that their decisions will be criticized, their actions will be analyzed and in many instances their character will be assassinated. They have to be tough enough to withstand complaints, soft enough to understand the plight of the common man and stern enough to carry through with their plans.

With that said, we should look at the way things are shaping up in McCook.

The McCook City Council faced a tough decision this year after the settlement on the McCook Air Base property and the decision to build a new water well field north of the city. In looking to address the shortfall in revenues and the new expenses facing the city, the council began looking at ways to cut city expenses.

Departments throughout the city were forced to cut back. Purchases of needed equipment were put on hold, and the council managed to find around $500,000 to go toward the payment of the Air Base settlement.

Now the city is looking at ways to pay for the its new water well field which will cost city water users an estimated $500,000 annually over the next 30 years and again the council is looking at ways to reduce the city's expenditures in order to pay for the plan.

One suggestion is to use $185,000 in sales tax money slated for the purchase of a pumper fire truck to replace a 1985 model. We all support saving tax dollars wherever possible, but at what price?

As anyone who has ever had a savings account knows, the money is a lot easier to spend than it is to build back to its highest level.

If we don't purchase that fire truck now -- when we have the money set aside for it -- when will we get a new one? Will it come only after the old one breaks down and can no longer be used to protect the citizens of McCook? And if so, will it come to late?

Cutting costs is a good plan for everyone. But can we afford to continue cutting costs to the point that we have nothing left for that proverbial "rainy day?"

The council has removed most of the city's cash reserve funds. The council contingency fund has been reduced. The council needs to look sensibly at what the city is receiving and what it is spending. But the council must also realize that it is necessary to spend money to keep services at their present level.

To continue to reduce spending in departments that are here to protect every citizen in the city of McCook and transferring it to pay for something else will benefit no one -- and could cost someone a lot more than $185,000.