EDITORIAL: Commissioners wisely renew mental health tax

Sept. 02--Nobody enjoys paying a tax -- even a small one-tenth of 1 percent sales tax.

But shelling out a few dollars a year is palatable when that money is being used wisely.

And, as the Board of Walla Walla County Commissioners heard this week, the local sales tax to help fund local chemical dependency and mental health treatment has been a success. The three commissioners then wisely renewed it for another five years.

"It's probably one of the better decisions that I have made in many years ... because I think the results have been so positive," Commissioner Perry Dozier, who in 2011 voted to enact the tax along with former commissioners Greg Tompkins and Gregg Loney.

County Commissioner Jim Johnson, who with Dozier and Commissioner Jim Duncan voted to renew the tax, said, "I think we have seen a tremendous improvement in delivery of these services because of this one-tenth of one percent (tax). This is one of the good ones. We assessed the tax locally, we spend it locally and we see local results. And I think it has been a tremendous success."

The tax, which brings in about $900,000 a year, funds a variety of local programs -- from early intervention services with elementary school students and their families to providing services in the County Jail and at the county Juvenile Justice Center.

The problems with chemical dependency -- alcohol and illegal drugs -- are not going away. They are everywhere in the country, including right here in Walla Walla County.

Addressing this problem at the local level provides early intervention and ultimately saves lives.

Addressing mental health treatment is equally important. Providing those suffering with mental health issues the support and services they need helps put them on a better path.

These programs ultimately improve lives and help us all.

Editorials are the opinion of the Union-Bulletin's Editorial Board. The board is composed of Brian Hunt, Rick Eskil, James Blethen and Alasdair Stewart

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