Snohomish County must preserve vital public-health services

We understand that in these uncertain economic times our citizens want their government to tighten its belt and refrain from asking for sacrifices from those who are already suffering financially. We believe it is equally important that critical services to the most vulnerable of our citizens, those who are unrepresented by lobbyists and special-interests groups, are not sacrificed on the altar of fiscal austerity.

Together we represent the northernmost district and the southernmost city in Snohomish County — but we are coming together to speak out on behalf of something that is critical to the future health of the entire county.

As board members of the Snohomish Health District, we believe it is essential for the county to make up for years of nearly flat public-health funding.

Snohomish County has not increased its funding for public health in 10 years. This is unprecedented in the annals of government, when one considers the increasing costs of fuel, health care and population increase over the same period. This reality (along with cuts from the state) has led directly to the $4.4 million shortfall the Snohomish Health District now faces.

It has been alleged that the Health District should have cut its services in years past instead of spending down its reserves. It is unrealistic to blame the staff for not cutting vital services when they had a surplus. The district has no taxing powers and relies on the county to live up to its obligations to protect the health, safety and welfare of the people of the county.

In truth, public health is a critical part of our public-safety infrastructure and we neglect it at our peril. Making sure that our water is safe to drink, septic tanks don't leak and food is not contaminated are all among the duties of the "first responders" of the Snohomish Health District. Whether you are in a rural area of Snohomish County or in the city of Bothell, these are critical services that our citizens count on as the underpinnings of a safe society and a strong economy.

We are both fiscal conservatives and, as such, we take seriously the charge that we must be good stewards of the people's money. The dollars the Health District has efficiently spent ensuring clean water, safe food and healthy children are sound investments that will provide a measurable return.

We are also both believers that what we do unto the least of our brethren we will be held accountable for. To decimate programs that serve sick children, the homeless and recent immigrants to our country is not only cruel, it is unwise. The costs to make up care for this preventable neglect will compound in the years to come.

County Executive Aaron Reardon has a real opportunity to lead by working with the County Council to ensure that critical health programs are not destroyed by devastating cuts. We agree fully with those who argue that our criminal-justice infrastructure is essential to protect human life and property. We believe the same is true of services that ensure clean water, uncontaminated food and health services for the most vulnerable of our citizens in the dawn of life.

Snohomish County is better than this. Our citizens understand the importance of investing wisely to ensure the health of our children and preparing for outbreaks of deadly diseases.

Whether you live in a rural or urban area, your life is touched by the unseen infrastructure of public health. We encourage the county executive to stand up to those who would shortchange our children and our future.