They can - with good timing, good politics, good communication and a little luck

By Terry McConn of the Union-Bulletin

It isn't that easy deciding what people want.

Or predicting how many will support which project.

Or when it's wanted. Or how much it's needed.

Or if the community can afford it.

Or if other proposals are more important.

Or...

Asking for extra tax money from residents can be one of the most difficult decisions facing an elected official.

But it's imperative to the survival of our area. It's essential in maintaining cost-effective, efficient and socially responsible governmental services.

Back in the late 1970s, some community leaders fought long and hard to put together a funding plan - including an increase in sales tax - to start the Valley Transit bus system.

Naysayers complained about "wasteful spending'' for years. But supporters turned a deaf ear, claiming such a service is essential to a modern, progressive and compassionate society.

Now it's generally perceived as a community asset.

Replacing buildings through bond measures that raise property taxes can be controversial, as well. But even well-built structures don't last forever and carving large amounts of remodeling money from bare-bones maintenance budgets usually isn't possible.

Therefore, those who look after our public investments often have to make tough decisions.

How a proposal makes it to the ballot

An idea can come from anywhere.

Maybe it's from a long-existing plan drawn up years ago.

Perhaps it results from a citizen lobby.

Or is a particular department's priority in order to function effectively and safely.

Staff members - those hired by the government to handle day-to-day operations - examine the feasibility of various projects, develop proposals and establish priorities.

But those ultimately responsible - elected members of such entities as school boards, city councils, boards of county commissioners and fire districts - are the ones who decide whether the fate of certain projects should be put to the voters' test.

Walla Walla Mayor Dominick Elia pointed out that some projects are funded by other means, such as donations, local improvement districts and general operating funds. But amassing enough money can prove very difficult when facing construction costs of millions of dollars.

So Elia is one who helps decide ``what gets to that level'' of a bond issue. Several factors come into play, he said.

What city project has the best shot? Is the timing right? Which department issue is most important?

Right now, a combined space for a new police department and dispatch center is the priority. "For me, at least, public safety is first.''

He came to that conclusion by listening to staff members and the general public. "You take all the input you can get from wherever you get it, really, and try to make a decision of what fits best.''

Examining needs is the first step. But community leaders - who pay taxes like everyone else - also take into account "political realities,'' Elia said. Each election can cost a district thousands of dollars and officials try to place on ballots only proposals that have a good chance of passage. Ones that fail badly often are doomed forever.

Also, the city considers the needs of the school district and tries not to place a measure on a ballot that also contains a school request. It makes no practical difference whether one issue is passed one year and another the next, since taxpayers typically pay bond-funded projects for 10-20 years. But, "Psychologically, if you see two or three things on the ballot, they all fail,'' Elia said.

The key is effective communication, he believes. "It takes a lot of involvement by folks and education. A lot of times people don't understand the need and you have to make sure they do.''

It will become harder to pass bond measures with rising property tax payments, Elia predicted. "But I'm of the opinion if you identify the need, and educate people about the need, they will support things.''

Walla Walla School Board President Anne Golden agreed. "Once a problem is recognized, people are willing to step up to the plate and find solutions for the problem,'' she said.

But as school officials found out when a comprehensive bond measure failed at the polls last year, voters often only want to deal with one issue at a time. That revelation later led to passage of a bond for a new Edison School.

As Golden put it: "You gotta listen, gotta be smart, gotta be political.''

Also by listening, the School Board learned that something needs to be done with the high school, but not all the input is in yet. Will retaining one high school emerge as the best alternative? Should there be two? Or three, taking into consideration the role the Lincoln Alternative High School should play?

"Believe me, this is not an easy decision to make,'' Golden said. "What does the community want? I believe education is a community event.''

Updating facilities to meet the needs of students and the curriculum is becoming more difficult because of three main factors, Golden believes.

First, property assessments - hence, taxes - are on the rise. That plus the number of retirees living on fixed incomes create bond election challenges. We can't afford everything we might need, Golden acknowledged.

Also, the makeup of local residents has changed, she said. "We have people from the Seattle and California areas coming here without children. They don't understand the Walla Walla system.''

Therefore, more communication is necessary. "We need to listen to our community. I appreciate the input,'' Golden said.