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Editorial
Governing bodies depend on input from the taxpayers
Monday, July 12, 2010
Word that the proposed McCook city budget included a 4.5 percent across-the-board cost of living adjustment for all employees -- plus merit and longevity increases -- brought the kind of reaction that might be expected on the mccookgazette.com website feedback forum:
"REALLY? In the private sector, some companies still have raise freezes after two years," said one frequent poster. "We're lucky to have a job. Now we have to turn around and try to pay for others' raises? ... Why put the burden of pay increases (and) merit increases on the private sector ... is it really necessary during this time of economic recovery. Is our city government and (its) employees that selfish?"
Other critics contended that city employees had health insurance plans most workers envy -- if they have health insurance at all.
On the other side, an out-of-town reader chided the newspaper for "singling out specificially the fire and police departments ... shame on you!"
In our defense, we don't hesitate to print salaries on tax-supported administrators at any level, and would gladly swap our salaries with any of those listed.
It is true that governmental salaries need to keep up with the market. Yes, competent management and administration is expensive, but it's nothing compared to the cost of incompetence.
And, as anyone who has to create a budget can tell you, it's wiser to take periodic increases than to try to make up ground all in one year in an effort to avoid the loss of talented people.
Still, local government is supported by Red Willow County taxpayers with a per capita income of $16,303 (in 1999, the most recent figures available) and a income of $43,079 for the average household of 2.37 people.
By comparison, the state has a median household income of $49,731 and per capita income of $19,613. Both the state and county have poverty levels of less than 11 percent. Red Willow County had an unemployment rate of 3.8 percent and the state 4.9 percent in May.
It's up to "civilian" governing bodies like the City Council, school board and commissioners to balance input from those who want to hire and keep good employees and those who have to pay their salaries.
They have regular meetings with the former. It's up to the rest of us to make sure they have adequate, reasonable, input from the latter.