San Juan County has been diligent in protecting our tax dollars, and continues to so. I believe as taxpayers we should expect nothing less.

The county has prioritized basic and necessary services which receives the full support of our regular tax dollar. They have also identified those services that require dollars generated from a levy lid-lift to support.

These ‘extra’ services are critical to what makes the islands such an exceptional place to live, but, in my opinion, are by no means ‘extra’.

These services go to the heart of the fabric of our community by addressing the needs of our senior citizens, by supporting the staffing and programs for our Public Health Department, dollars are used for the maintenance and operations of our county Parks, and they help provide critical services to the victims of crime.

These dollars also provide support for our youth through 4-H, the county fair, the sheriff’s office work release/community service program, and support to the Island Oil Spill Association (IOSA). These are important programs that have had our support and continues to need our support.

One final point: While I think the county has its priorities correct, and asking for voter approval to fund these ‘extra’ programs every five of six years is positive, I do think these programs should be part of our regular tax structure.

Elections are expensive, and sometimes confusing. When economic times are tough, the county knows how to prioritize and will when they need to.

But for now, they are asking for another temporary lid-lift to support these operations, and I believe as taxpayers we should support this request.

Bill Cumming/San Juan Island

Editor’s note: Bill Cumming is former sheriff of San Juan County