Leadership is more than saying no. Leadership is more than kicking the can down the road. Hamilton County is in a bind because previous leaders have passed down the problems to later generations. In the past year, there have been critical decision points in which the commission missed opportunities to break this cycle.
This week consultants presented information about the physical condition of our schools. Their analysis also included two key points that may have been overlooked due to the shocking, nearly $1.4 billion price tag they shared. First, the consultants highlighted that the county's growth would be limited in the next 10 years due to the lack of infrastructure, especially in the northern part of the county. Second, they told us that over the past 10 years, the county had a 10% decline in the number of childbearing age women. Both points are the "canary in the coal mine" for the economic future of Hamilton County.
That lack of infrastructure relates to a major need that commissioners seem afraid to address: a new wastewater treatment plant. Is the commission going to wait until the EPA places a moratorium on the county and levies fines on us? The population projections for 10 years down the road tell us the failure to act on this issue will limit growth for years to come.
Since 2010, the county has 8,000 fewer women between the ages of 15 and 44. This is a leading indicator that those who have or are considering having children are not moving to Hamilton County. Undoubtedly, a major reason these folks are going somewhere else is our schools. Those who live here often say we have too many old and dilapidated buildings – and the facilities report confirmed that. This issue has been festering since the city-county schools merger in 1997.
Beyond buildings, the quality of education in our county is improving but not where it needs to be. Nearly two-thirds of our public school students cannot read on grade level. By 2020, 65 percent of all jobs - compared to 28 percent in 1973 - will require some form of postsecondary education, according to a new report from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce. The $34 million increase would have gone a long way toward accelerating student achievement in our county. Yet, the district's budget request only got four votes on the commission.
A recent poll found that 61% of people in Hamilton County support a tax increase. Mayor Jim Coppinger convened a group of business leaders, and they also support a tax increase to help the school system. The mayor's proposal to the commission would have resulted in property owners paying $70 more in yearly taxes on a house valued at $100,000. I realize there are elderly residents who barely scrape by. But to help those with lower incomes, I supported the resolution that would allow veterans and the elderly to freeze their taxes if their income was less than $41,000 a year.
The school board has now passed a balanced budget that provides some of the literacy supports the district needs but does not provide any permanent pay increase for teachers. Today, this budget makes initial progress towards our goal of an excellent school system. Tomorrow, we must fund a significant pay increase to recruit and retain the best teachers, as well as fund infrastructure needs and a school facilities plan.
I am calling on my fellow county commissioners to lead this county. Leadership is not saying "no" to everything. Leadership is finding middle ground to solve the real problems our county must finally face.
Hamilton County Commissioner Dr. Warren Mackey is a retired college professor first elected to serve District 4 in 2005.