Hunter Taylor: Hopeful delegation members reverse damage of earlier budget vote

To The Daily Sun,

At a recent Belknap County Delegation budget meeting, the majority voted to cut funding for outside agencies was by 50%. This was done pursuant to motion by Rep. Paul Terry, joined by eight others (Reps. Glen Aldrich, Harry Bean, Russell Dumais, Lisa Freeman, Juliet Harvey-Bolia, Matt Lunney, Sheri Minor, and Doug Trottier). This spelled disaster for outside agencies such as Belknap County Conservation District and Cooperative Extension. The representatives who approved this did so despite receiving information from the county administrator that any tax savings from such a move would be minimal.

As it turns out, the cuts would give approximately $2 in tax savings to the average property owner. It is unlikely that typical taxpayers will be grateful for this relief; they are much more likely to prefer support for the work of the agencies.

Not only are the savings infinitesimal, but the cuts result in major economic loss to the county, estimated to be over $1 million, with the greatest impact on our forests, waterways and farms. This is penny-wise, pound-foolish decision-making.

When the delegation showed embarrassing ignorance in its vote, the cause may be partly that there was no input allowed from the public, including knowledgeable citizens, before the vote. Even more astonishing was the refusal of Chair Bean to allow the county commissioners (whose proposed budget was being slashed) to speak. Such conduct speaks of discourtesy as well a refusal to hear the facts. The result was a delegation voting in ignorance making an ignorant decision.

Fortunately, the commissioners have provided an opportunity to the delegation to undo their embarrassing vote, as the board of commissioners has formally requested a supplemental appropriation to restore the outside agency funding. By law, the delegation has 30 days to consider the request. Let us hope they reverse the damage their earlier vote created.

Hunter Taylor

Alton