Editorial: County’s services are crucial

In Topeka, lawmakers are trying to “starve the beast” by cutting taxes and reducing taxpayer-provided services. One extreme tactic is diverting funds from future road construction projects.

But in Johnson County, people working for local government are serving hundreds of thousands of residents in multiple ways every day.

Johnson County Commission Chairman Ed Eilert delivered that timely reminder last month in his State of the County speech.

Hardly a wild-spending liberal, Eilert has been a longtime elected official, first as Overland Park’s mayor and now on the commission.

In his address, Eilert ticked off the usual glowing comments about how the county is making progress when it comes to a higher population and construction of more homes and offices.

He also spent plenty of time talking about how residents benefit from key, taxpayer-financed services from the county.

▪ The Mental Health Center “provided $6.4 million in uncompensated care to uninsured and under-insured patients with mental illnesses” in 2015.

▪ The Public Health and Environmental Department had to come through suddenly last year when it “completed a large-scale tuberculosis investigation at Olathe Northwest High School.”

▪ Taxpayers provided 61 percent of the cost of running the Johnson County Med-Act ambulance service that handled more than 38,000 calls last year.

▪ On the to-do list, Eilert said many residents will see higher sewer bills as the county expands and improves the Tomahawk Creek Wastewater Plant.

It takes public funds to provide strong, public services. In Topeka, too many Republican lawmakers have forgotten that fact.

Sure, everyone wants taxpayers’ money used efficiently. Johnson County has a reputation for doing that. In return, residents often receive top-notch services.

This story was originally published April 5, 2016 at 5:18 PM with the headline "Editorial: County’s services are crucial."