County's do everything budget costs taxpayers more each year

County's do everything budget costs taxpayers more each year
by James Simpson

Potomac News
Friday, April 11, 2003

Prince William County is planning on raising taxes, yet again. Tax hike proponents say it is unrealistic for citizens to expect a cap on growth if they don't provide examples of where cuts can be made. Of course that could open a Pandora's Box of endless debates. While the discussion becomes bogged down between county residents who favor reasonable growth and special interest groups looking to protect their programs, our politicians will rest easy in the knowledge that they are no longer the focus of the argument. On the other hand, I don't have any problem with finding areas that can (and should) be cut while keeping the focus on those who deserve to be held accountable to taxpayers.

Residents are told that county services will be negatively impacted without a tax increase. In the Public Officials' Forum of the March 29th edition of the Potomac News, County Executive Craig Gerhart wrote; "In the past four years, the board has taken significant steps to catch up on public services that citizens have told us they want and need." He suggested that; "We should discuss the balance of providing services that citizens have told us they want with their ability to pay for these services." Of course bureaucrats translate this citizen desire for services as a need that must be provided by government.

Let's take the recreational wishes of county residents as an example. Prince William has a number of citizens interested in golf. It can advertise that there are twenty-some public and private golf courses available for citizens and visitors; however, the government does not need to own and maintain three golf courses. Especially if they struggle to break even such as Generals Ridge. County golf courses, unlike the private courses they compete with, generate additional revenue by appropriating it from folks who may never use the facility. The county can just redistribute wealth from those who have the means to those who have a need (or a want). Conversely, when a private range doesn't generate enough revenue to cover operating expenses it doesn't burden the taxpayer.

The country is in a tight spot right now as our economy is creeping along at a snails pace. Many folks, including myself, are having a tough time finding work. Those who are gainfully employed are lucky if they get a raise, and many are reminded that they should be thankful they even have a job. Yet our politicians want to increase taxes 9.3%. Unlike private industry, Prince William County has not only avoided laying anyone off but is budgeting for county-wide raises.

The county suffers from the same economic shortfall problems that our state and national governments suffer from; a demand for ever increasing revenues to pay for programs that extend way beyond those that would have been considered necessary by our founders. In a speech to the Virginia Convention of 1788 Patrick Henry said; "You are not to inquire how your trade may be increased, nor how you are to become a great and powerful people, but how your liberties can be secured; for liberty ought to be the direct end of your Government."

Unlike our founders, Prince William County's government seems to adhere to the principles set forth in the Constitution of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, adopted on October 7, 1977, which states in Chapter 7, Article 41; "Citizens of the USSR have the right to rest and leisure." which is to be provided to its citizens by "… extension of the network of cultural, educational, and health-building institutions, and the development on a mass scale of sport, physical culture, and camping and tourism; by the provision of neighborhood recreational facilities, and of other opportunities for rational use of free time."

Prince William County, in true socialist form, now provides its residents recreational facilities, camp sites, a sports stadium, and soon it will help fund a performing arts center. According to Chairman Sean Connaughton it has even ventured into the commercial land development business. Additionally, the county is funding a number of Capital Improvement Projects which in my opinion should be funded through private endowments, user fees, and volunteer contributions.

When roads are not adequate and money is diverted from school projects to pay for Park Authority cost overruns, as was the case with the recent Valley View debacle, it is past time for taxpayers to demand greater responsibility and accountability from our representatives. If you don't like the proposed tax increase, contact your county supervisor and demand that they limit the growth of government.
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James Simpson is Vice Chair of the Prince William Taxpayers Alliance and welcomes reader feedback and comments. His opinions are his own and may not reflect those of the PWTA or its members. He can be reached at JamesSimpson@aol.com.