Opinion: You can’t cut your way to prosperity!

By Michael Glenn

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As school has started back up for a couple of weeks, I have really enjoyed my American Government class for my senior year.

To almost no one’s surprise, I’m a government nerd. In fact, when my teacher asked how many of us wanted to leisurely read our textbook, everyone in the class looked at me, who raised my hand. 

This Friday, my teacher and I had a good discussion on taxes and how we wouldn’t mind paying taxes as much if we could physically see the benefits from them. 

This conversation was mostly centered around federal issues such as Medicare and Social Security, government-subsidized college education and other ways our federal government spends its trillions of dollars. 

Although we have differentiating views on many issues, it was good to have a civil political conversation about controversial issues without it devolving into rhetoric or jargon, like it so often can. 

This conversation got me thinking about our local levels of government and how we’re taxed, which fits perfectly with our city and county budget season. In case you missed it, the Reno County Commission just finalized its budget for the 2025 fiscal year, which included cuts to the Reno County Farmers Market and the Reno County Museum.

Our commissioners have the wrong mindset when it comes to budgeting. Good budgeting does NOT mean cutting, cutting and more cutting. I understand the need and want for a lower tax base, but I also want a strong Farmers Market that helps rural farmers, arts and craft-makers and community members support each other. 

Thanks to Commissioners Daniel Friesen and Ron Hirst, who spoke in support of the market, we still have a reduced budget to hire and support local musicians at the farmers market. 

The museum saw a cut of $45,000, a little under the cost of one full-time staff member, from the commission’s funding. Thankfully, Commissioner John Whitesel’s idea of cutting from $185,000 to $100,000 was quickly shot down by other commissioners.

I want a Museum that showcases our county’s history, the good, bad and ugly, and has adequate staffing and support from the county to do so. If we do not understand our own history as a county, how can we learn from the past and not repeat the same mistakes we have made?

I’ll only speak for myself, but as a county, I don’t think we would mind paying for a museum or market that we can actually visit, research, learn and discover information with staff who truly care about our community. 

In total, our county cut around $200,000 in its budget, most of it stemming from the museum’s hefty cut.

Rather than attempting to cut our way into success, we have to do the opposite: make smart investments. 

Our museum could probably turn a profit or be better off financially if the commission gave them their request of $232,000 to have a four-member staff. Think of all the fundraising events, historical exhibits and public interaction the museum could have if they were given an adequate budget. 

However, our commissioners decided that $140,000 was fair. 

If we invested in these services and organizations, our county would benefit so much more than a slight cut in property taxes which will hardly be noticed by property owners due to the revenue-neutral rate still being exceeded. 

I’m sure the museum will feel the effects of the cut, though. 

Hopefully, our museum will find a way to adapt, adjust and overcome the challenge placed before them. I love and support history, especially local stories, and I hope you do too.