These are troubling times, and more clouds loom on the horizon.

The 2009 county budget has been drafted with more than a million dollars in cuts from last year’s budget. County Administrator Pete Rose says the cuts will put the county back 20 years in health, recreation and other community services programs.

But don’t blame the messenger. Rose has served the county ably since his hiring two years ago as County Administrator. He has been forecasting for quite some time now that retail sales tax collection is falling, as is the collection for new construction. Plus, last year the county borrowed from its reserve fund to support this year’s budget, always an 11th-hour measure to be avoided.

So now we face meetings to justify (as in the Hebrew conotation: to fix or repair) the budget and the cuts Rose reluctantly advises.

At first glance, it seems amazing that 45 percent of the county budget is spent on crime and justice — are we really that criminal or litigious?

The next largest slice of the county pocketbook goes to government administration – 35 percent. As the largest single county employer, this large portion makes more sense to us, but even so, the 2009 budget calls for cuts to 20 employee positions. Much of the work will be absorbed by remaining employees. With the County Development and Planning Department at last making strides in plowing through its workload, and with permits being issued within a month or two rather than four, it seems like two steps back to cut CDPD’s budget by 22 percent.

The remaining 20 percent of the county budget is allocated to Community Services, and the cuts in these programs – day-use Parks, the public health nurse, and funding for senior services, the agricultural resources committee, 4-H and the Orcas Island Recreation Program – have many of us feeling alarmed and that the cuts are unfair. They will certainly impact the quality of life on the islands.

Yet these questions are asked with respect and a desire for explanation, not to point blame or demand funds for particular constituencies.

What’s to be done?

First, we have to face reality square in the face and accept that everything is going to cost more money. Choices will have to be made on what can be afforded, and how to live within diminishing means.

Second, the county can no longer be John, as in “Let John do it.” Judicial, administrative and community services will have to be shouldered by individuals and groups within and without government – with no commensurate financial compensation.

Third, this week and into the future, we have to ask questions, both simple and tough, to help make budgets and policies that contribute to the good life most of us still share on the islands. We must participate in educating ourselves and in participating in the budget meetings and other county meetings to assist the officials in making the best of reduced circumstances. If it’s impossible to attend meetings, communicate with county officials via email or telephone.

A schedule of budget meetings and their topics is posted on page A5. The county website, where budget figures are posted and explained, is at www.sanjuanco.com.

A challenge well met is the sign of a community of open minds and great principles.