Honor growth boundary

Mike Prager’s story, “Bus isn’t coming for many in area” (June 3), should serve as a wake-up call for local public officials. The Washington state Growth Management Act is intended to concentrate urban development into a small enough area that urban services can be provided within the limits of available tax revenues.

The next time council members or commissioners are tempted to expand the Urban Growth Boundary even “just a little” to allow some new development, they need to weigh the cost of providing services to the expanded area against the new tax revenues generated.

These considerations need to go beyond those of their own direct jurisdiction. In addition to city and county governments that provide some sewer, water, police and fire protection services, there are other agencies in addition to STA, school districts, water districts, fire districts and others that rely on sales or property tax revenues for their effective operation.

I, for one, am tired of seeing these agencies continually presenting new property tax levy or sales tax increase requests to allow them to provide the urban services that those living in ill-conceived expanded urban areas deserve. Elected officials, don’t fight the GMA, embrace it.

Stan Miller

Spokane