By SHERIFF LARRY ASHLEY
When discussing budgets, the absence of details and options leaves more questions than answers. I’m writing to provide additional details regarding Okaloosa County’s need for increased revenue, as reported in the Daily News’ April 25 article, “Ashley supports tax increases.”
As a social and fiscal conservative, I recognize that without the necessary resources, at some point you become ineffective as an organization in meeting your mission obligations. I want the public to understand why we are at a pivotal point for the future of local public safety, one of government’s most critical functions.
We’ve all made sacrifices because of the weakened economy, and the Sheriff’s Office is no different. Last year marked the fifth consecutive year our budget was reduced, representing an overall reduction of nearly 20 percent or $5.56 million. We’ve slashed beneficial programs and sent home hard-working employees.
Yet, last year alone, we experienced a record-breaking 210,175 calls for service (a 14 percent increase) and record numbers of tourists. As law enforcement professionals sworn to protect and serve, we see a disturbing correlation between ongoing cuts and the 39 percent increase in violent crimes the past two years. In addition, Okaloosa County’s population increased approximately 6 percent during 2010-12 but domestic violence and sexual assault incidents increased 28 percent. The Sheriff’s Office experienced a 62 percent increase in reported fraud-related crimes during the same period. Economic and financial crimes generally increased 31 percent.
It is clear that the ever-growing chasm between the demand for safe schools, roadways, neighborhoods, businesses and beaches and the declining supply of available resources cannot continue without jeopardizing public safety.
Our county is challenged by our dependence on the general fund as the sole source of funds for basic government services such as law enforcement. I acknowledge that “additional fees,” “enhanced revenue,” “increased funding streams,” etc., are terms synonymous with tax increases, and it is difficult for me to advocate increasing these. But, as sheriff, I am committed to ensuring there is sufficient funding to keep our citizens and visitors safe.
I hear daily from citizens who would like a deputy in their neighborhood to stop thefts or burglaries or slow speeders, to address prostitution and drug sales, or to have deputies placed at supervised visitation centers or hospitals or schools … and the list goes on. Of course, we would need the preventive patrols necessary to help reduce crime and prevent it from happening in the first place. Unfortunately, funding cuts combined with increased calls for help have forced a transition to primarily a reactive force, answering the flood of calls for service as they come in.
If people need our help because they are victims of rape, robbery, burglary, theft or criminal mischief, they expect and deserve adequate resources.
I believe that even though Okaloosa County enjoys one of the lowest property tax rates in the state, our property owners have served as our “cash cow” for far too long. Property owners should not be expected to continually fund services for those who do not own property and contribute little to fund those services. I estimate that less than 40 percent of the calls for service we answer are initiated by property owners. It seems fundamentally unfair for property owners to continually shoulder that burden.
In that regard, I fully support our county commissioners’ efforts to use bed tax money to fund lifeguards and other public safety services consumed primarily by tourists.
I believe that only three equitable options exist to increase revenues:
1. A 1 percent local-option sales tax, which would leverage a penny of every dollar spent in the county, even those spent by tourists. Such a tax would generate an estimated $21 million in additional county revenue and another $7 million to be shared by our municipalities.
2. A 5-cent local-option fuel tax, which would generate about $3 million for the county and an additional $1.8 million to be shared by the municipalities. These additional revenues could be used only to improve roadways and bridges (many of which are in dire need of repair, especially in the north end of the county).
3. A utility franchise fee of 6 percent, which could generate approximately $6 million to enhance the general fund.
None of the above options burden only our property owners, and I believe they are the most equitable options for meeting critical, ever-growing funding needs.
I applaud our county commissioners for recognizing these critical needs. I stand ready to work with them as they consider options to meet these needs.
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Larry Ashley is the sheriff of Okaloosa County.