Westlund trying to walk a fine line with how much government should help

Post Falls Mayor Randy Westlund raised a question worth considering when he announced Monday that the city would end its utility-assistance program.

"We've shut it down because wealth transfer is not the proper role of government," Westlund wrote on the city's Facebook page.

The decision should come as no surprise. Westlund has made it clear he intends to challenge the status quo and scrutinize programs that have long been accepted simply because they've always existed. He has repeatedly emphasized fiscal responsibility and accountability in government spending.

In addressing what he described as a substantial deficit on the horizon, Westlund recently wrote:

"Government must live within its means just like everyone else."

For him, that principle applies not only to major budget items but also to smaller programs. The utility-assistance fund cost about $20,000 annually and served roughly 30 accounts. In the context of a city budget, that's a modest amount. Hardly worth fussing over.

But as Westlund put it:

"This was a small dollar amount, but we're committed to doing things the right way. If you want to know how well your government is run, look at the little things."

Politically, this may be a losing issue. Few elected officials gain support by ending a program that helps residents pay bills. And there is no question that water and sewer services are necessities, not luxuries. 

Westlund argues that churches, nonprofits and private citizens are better positioned to provide that assistance. It's a fair point. Strong communities depend on people helping one another, and those with the means should be encouraged to give generously. An example of that is on Kauai right now, where Hurricane Lowell damaged hundreds of homes, knocked down power poles and destroyed roads. Locals on Kauai are not waiting on the government to come to the rescue. They are looking out for each other. They are giving what they have to help one another.

That said, government has a role in helping people through difficult times. When assistance is carefully targeted to those who genuinely need it, it can serve as a temporary bridge rather than a permanent crutch.

The challenge is finding the right balance.

Provide too much assistance, and dependency can follow. Provide too little, and people facing genuine hardship can fall further behind.

Most people would agree that self-sufficiency is the ideal. Yet life does not always cooperate. Job losses, illnesses and unexpected setbacks can leave even responsible people needing help. 

Mayor Westlund is drawing a line on where he believes government's responsibility ends and the community's begins. Reasonable people can and will disagree about exactly where that line should be. Already, many have posted comments on social media critical of the mayor who, to his credit, is responding. It's a conversation that needs to take place.

Meantime, we agree that we all should look around, see how others are doing, ask how we can help, and lend a hand. Let's not depend on the government, nonprofits or churches to see people through the tough times. Let's help each other as best we can.