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County feels heat on two fronts, imposes hiring freeze
ELECTION '99
County feels heat on two fronts, imposes hiring freeze
By Tim Christie, Sun
staff
American Heritage Party officials criticize commissioners for telling people
to vote against I-695.
Kitsap County commissioners warned Monday of the pitfalls to local government
if Initiative 695 passes next month.
As if to punctuate their point, commissioners also imposed a hiring freeze
because of the economic uncertainty posed by I-695 and Silverdale incorporation.
The commissioners didn't come right out and say they opposed the measure. Rather,
they warned of the "negative effects on local government services" if it passes
and urged local citizens to "educate themselves about the real costs, impacts
and replacement revenue sources likely generated by the passage and implementation
of I-695."
The measure would repeal the motor-vehicle excise tax charged to motorists
when they renew their vehicle registration and replace it with a flat $30-per-vehicle
fee. The measure also would require voter approval of all tax and fee increases.
If approved, I-695 could lead to 175 to 250 local government employees being
laid off, the commissioners said.
The commissioners' resolution said Kitsap Transit would lose about $10 million,
about 43 percent of its operating budget. Kitsap County would lose about $1.4
million, and local cities would lose about $1.6 million in state money earmarked
for criminal justice programs. The state ferry system would lose about $200
million, or 22 percent of its operating budget, plus capital to build new boats.
"Maybe you'll save money if Initiative 695 passes, but you'll pay, too, significantly,
on a lot of different fronts," Commissioner Tim Botkin said. He likened the
measure to using a "sledgehammer to kill a mosquito."
Jim Almond, chairman of the American Heritage Party in Kitsap County, objected
to the commissioners' statement.
Since they are part of the government, "it is not within the scope of their
jobs, nor proper, for them to attempt to influence the decision of the voters
on this important ballot issue," he said.
He said they were engaging in politically motivated "premature public speculation"
and exaggerating the measure's impact in an effort to "frighten otherwise uninformed
voters into voting it down."
Commissioner Chris Endresen responded that "part of our job is to make sure
the public does understand the facts as we understand them."
Meanwhile, the commissioners imposed a hiring freeze, effective immediately,
because of the potential impact on the county budget from I-695 and the incorporation
of Silverdale.
If voters approve both measures, the county would lose revenues of $5 million
to $6 million, they said. County officials would try to recoup some of those
losses by contracting for certain services with the new city, and by cutting
some programs that now serve the Silverdale area.
The hiring freeze is subject to three exceptions: those jobs necessary to provide
for public health and safety; those viewed as critical operational positions;
and those that are funded by federal or state grant dollars that wouldn't go
away if I-695 and Silverdale incorporation pass.
About 35 currently vacant positions were frozen. The county employs about 1,000
people.
Published in The Sun: 10/12/1999
