A News Tribune Article last week discussed whether Cole County might get into the emergency siren business. The headline (always cute and often distracting) was Sounding a Warning. The title was more accurate than they intended. But it's not just about sirens.
The article reported the position of the Cole County Commission on the issue of its responsibility to provide an essential public safety service county-wide. Actually, the comments by elected officials were the real "warning" to municipal residents throughout Cole County.
Western District Commissioner: "I think the time has come for the County to be proactive in putting sirens up." Thanks for that bold statement.
But here's the problem, a definitive policy statement from the Presiding Commissioner:
"We need to make sure that everyone is clear in understanding that we are only doing it in unincorporated areas. Any cities that want to do it, including Jefferson City, they do it on their own nickel. We don't want to cross that line."
But, according to the Commissioner, and to assuage the Western District: it will be just fine to spend tax dollars in "Eugene, Apache Flats, Westview Heights, Lawson and the area around Saddlebrook Estates."
So, when the heck did Wardsville, Taos, St. Martins, Russellville, Jefferson City, etc. secede from Cole County? What 'Line" was the Commissioner referring to? Why is there a 'Line" that prohibits providing services county-wide when they are funded by everyone in the county?
Municipalities in Cole County should encourage the County Commission to allocate public safety dollars throughout all of Cole County. Just because you live in a city does not mean you do not deserve benefits from taxes you pay to Cole County.
We used to call it "The Doughnut Problem." I guess it's still something to watch for.