Local elected officials preserve programs of value to the community

IN these tough economic times, budget writers in Seattle and King County struggle to cut a program here and maintain one of value somewhere else. Budgeteers in both jurisdictions made two commendable decisions to save services.

The Seattle City Council wisely opted to minimize hefty cuts in library hours. The Metropolitan King County Council restored $1.4 million for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

These council members are making the tough decisions required of them, holding onto programs with broad community value and also making necessary cuts.

Libraries, along with the rest of city government, were facing significant cuts. Libraries still will experience more cuts in hours of operation than anticipated six months ago, but not as deeply as outgoing Mayor Greg Nickels first proposed. That reflects responsible prioritizing.

The council restored more than half the $1.2 million in cuts to hours proposed by Nickels, so instead of having just six libraries open seven days a week, a dozen libraries will be open seven days a week. Fifteen branches will be open only five days. The council did not have enough money to keep them open every day.

The council didn't wave a magic wand and find money. Members, for example, decided to reduce funding for the mayor's office, to require employee furloughs and to use parking tickets as more of an overall revenue booster than the mayor did. Nickels proposed raising parking fines by $2; the council doubled the increase to $4.

In a difficult economy, more people rely on library resources to find jobs and prepare for job interviews.

King County Councilmember Larry Gossett put it well when he said the public hearing part of county budget deliberations proves its value every year. This year, testimony from survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault compelled the council to restore funding for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Think about it: Lousy economic times create more stress for families and can prompt a higher incidence of domestic violence. The council listened and responded.

These programs save lives. The $1.4 million restored will pay to prevent additional violence and provide counseling and legal advocacy for survivors navigating the judicial system.

There are many cuts in both budgets with which the public will agree and disagree. But two forward-looking decisions — on library hours and on sexual assault and domestic violence — stand out for community appreciation and thanks.