PF BUDGET: Press editorial was right

Kudos to the Cd’A Press for pointing out in their August 19 editorial that the personnel costs of most municipalities, including Coeur d’Alene, consume the largest share of their budgets, and thus reducing them should be seriously looked at when seeking to eliminate budget deficits. 

As you state, “If revenues are not keeping pace, can every (employee) benefit and compensation increase continue as if nothing has changed?” No one (well, perhaps some) disputes the good, professional work that Cd’A city employees do. Police and fire personnel risk harm and death daily, and we, the citizens, are very grateful for their willingness to do so. In reality, however, does more money (other than for equipment) and/or benefits make their jobs any less dangerous?

To paraphrase one paragraph in the article “...responsible government requires setting priorities and making difficult choices rather than pretending that every (COLA increase above actual DOL inflation rate, merit raise, step raise, sick leave accrual rate increase, vacation time increase, service time pay increase, volunteer pay, decrease in employee contribution towards a benefit) can continue indefinitely regardless of cost.” 

Thank you and prayers to all involved in working out an equitable budget balancing solution for both Post Falls and Cd’A.  

TED TURRENTINE

Coeur d’Alene