By JON THORSON
One of the tenets of sound public policy is to consider long-term effects and all people, not simply short-term effects and a few. This principle should be supported at all times but especially during an economic downturn. Focusing on the short-term benefits to a few people overlooks the opportunities that may be seized that will serve and protect our future. What are these opportunities and how can they be put to higher use to protect our tourism economy over the next few years?
· Acquiring land for future public use in a buyer's market. Present-day investment in land for tomorrow's parks, fire and street maintenance structures, etc., will help us grow in the years ahead.
· Purchasing smaller buses for transportation of both tourists and residents, which creates cost and fuel efficiencies and higher ridership per trip. It also relieves the large-capacity buses for use in bringing our down-valley workers to their jobs in a timely and efficient manner;
· Preserving the "goose that laid the golden egg," (i.e., the tourist/visitor base) through support of recreational amenities, marketing and public relations efforts that help develop our economy. Our major local-option tax revenue source, the Sun Valley Co., has developed amenities that are significant factors in the escalated value of our properties; we should remain supportive of its efforts as we are the major benefactors of its largesse.
· Holding the line on fixed overhead by freezing hiring and salaries at today's rate. When the economy recovers, city staff can be added and salary adjustments can be considered. Parenthetically, principal city staff salaries were increased during the last half of calendar year 2007.
· Deferring spending on non-emergency infrastructure. Now is not the time to squander savings accounts rebuilding dead-end residential roads that adequately serve a few houses; these tertiary roads can easily and inexpensively be kept serviceable until the economy recovers and all appropriate revenue sources are considered.
Now is not the time to "zip up" the town and cower in our bunker. I encourage Mayor Willich and Councilmembers Ribi and Briscoe to listen with open minds to the thoughtful proposals of Councilmembers Lamb and Chase. Both are planning, financial and economic talents with proven track records within the private sector; they are elected officials interested in the common good.
Engaging in open dialogue (and without hidden agendas) has, in my experience, produced more satisfying results for all the people. Citizens, please come to the Aug. 21 budget hearing and help the mayor and city council get on a sound budgetary path that meets our community's needs today and in the years ahead.
Jon Thorson is the former mayor of Sun Valley.
