by Jim Bredouw
Some opinions and clarifications re: the Park and Rec levy, in no particular order.
1) I don’t think anyone should feel an ounce of shame for voting ‘no’ for any tax levy, including this one. It is a hard won right to vote what your taxes pay for or don’t pay for.
2) Many have differing opinions, of course, but it is mine that the amount of money the public will spend if this levy passes will be less than they will spend if it doesn’t. I don’t claim this to be a fact, as it isn’t quantifiable, however, I believe that most law enforcement professionals would concur that court, police and rehab costs go down commensurately with the number of positive programs offered to youth by caring adults, particularly after school and on weekends. Not every existing program and facility will, of course fail without this levy, but I believe a great many will over the course of the next six years without some degree of public help.
3) It is also my opinion, at least for working parents with families who are struggling, that it is a false savings to suggest that they will be harmed by this levy. If you assume a home worth, say, $300,000, the $2.25 it will add in household expense per month I believe will be many multiples less than childcare for the many who are working when their kids come home after school who will be able to take advantage of many of OIPRD’s positive programs.
4) A comparison to the old Orcas Rec operating budget is not apples to apples. The county supplied insurance, offices, phones, severance, equipment and numerous administrative services that don’t show up on any O.R. budget, nor do the many startup costs necessary to create a new district. It also included zero maintenance for Buck Park which, given OISD’s substantial budget challenges, will likely be in shorter supply than ever.
5) The Funhouse is not being subsidized by this budget. Two of the many dozens of indoor programs that currently operate out of the Funhouse without any public funds – After School and Teen Night – are being proposed as proven and essential programs, along with swimming lessons, that would be partially supported by OIPRD under the current budget proposal. However, it suggests no public support of the substantial building, administration, maintenance or operational costs of the Funhouse, which will continue to operate as an independent non-profit relying on volunteers and donations as it always has.
The Orcas Island Park and Rec District isn’t part of any other government body. It isn’t part of the state nor county nor connected to OISD; it’s just a standalone organization headed by 5 volunteers you elected – a heretofore non-existent body that you and your neighbors either want to have funded or not. If this new 9 cent levy passes or doesn’t pass is not at issue for me personally, as it is the will of the voters that is all that matters, but it is my hope that it doesn’t fail because of either bad information or a misplaced and largely justified anger at the massive inefficiencies in many of our larger government bodies.
If you want to read more, please go to the FAQ section of the website: www.orcasparkandrec.com
Jim Bredouw is commissioner number four on the Orcas Parks and Rec District.
