Tough Choices in Tough Economic Times

In Travis County, tough economic times require tough decisions.  Yet most of what counties do is not well understood.   A new legislative session will soon begin, and the Legislature is likely to make budgetary decisions that will kick some tough choices to local governments.  So, it may be helpful to talk about the dynamics of Travis County’s services, the budget, and the external impacts on them. 

The criminal justice system (courts, jails, law enforcement) and health and human services (HHS) programs absorb a significant chunk of the County’s budget – roughly $269 million and $45 million, respectively.  HHS offers specialized services to the poor and indigent through housing-related services, healthy meals, work force training, healthcare, etc.   These are short-term programs designed to help people in need get back on their feet and become self-sustaining. 
A direct correlation exists between the direction of our economy, crime rates and HHS program needs.  In recent strong economic years, Travis County experienced a general decline in the crime rate – even while the population continued to grow.  This, in no small part, can be attributed to the excellent crime prevention programs provided by the Travis County Sheriff’s Office and Probation Department.  When crime is down, the Sheriff’s Office is able to commit resources to these prevention programs.  A lower crime rate also means less need to increase the ranks of law enforcement officers.  But since last fall, the crime rate has begun to rise.

Now consider this: the largest category of unemployed during down economic cycles is among lower wage earners, making them least able to afford life’s basics – food, shelter and fundamental healthcare, like childhood inoculations, etc.  This puts some people more at risk of criminal behavior.  So, increased HHS needs are apparent in order to assist this at-risk population.  Much of the monies for such programs come from State and Federal grants, many of which require staffing that the County must subsidize.  So, in tough economic times, State and Federal funding can be reduced or cancelled.  The fewer HHS programs implemented during down economic cycles, the more likely the impact on the crime rate.  The net result is that local taxpayers must pick up the tab if they are to avoid the negative impacts related to crime.  It is a no-win situation.

In recent history, Travis County has demonstrated extremely sound financial planning and our management understands these cycles.  For the budget cycle that began Oct. 1, 2010, we were able to hire 5 new law enforcement officers and 12 corrections officers, though this was less than the desired number.  Our HHS division is OK for this fiscal year.  However, the zinger comes for this next budget year (2012) and our advisors have been telling us for two years that this is coming.  The State’s deficit appears to be somewhere between $21 and $25 billion.  Historically, State funding for HHS programs are among the first to be cut.  This passes the responsibility and choices down to the counties as to what to cut, what to keep and how to fund it locally.  Travis County’s decisions related to crime will be tough.  So keep your eyes peeled to the Legislative Session regarding State budget cuts and you will get a preview of what challenging decisions the County most likely will have and the impacts that we taxpayers may experience in the next budget cycle.  In considering taxes, none of us wants to pay more.   When the economy dips we can all tighten our belts (I did not take a wage increase this year), but when it comes to crime and our personal safety, there may be some tough choices.