The Division II Court of Appeals has returned Kitsap County’s poor financial habits back to them to resolve it would appear. The issue comes from a shortfall in funds leading into the 2012 year. The county — meaning the county commissioners — established that the county was short of cash for the upcoming 2012 year by $935,000.

Here’s the part that really has me confused. To resolve this money issue the county laid off two (2) jail officers, that is an amazing quick fix. I know that the taxpayers pay 100 percent of the premium cost for life insurance on everyone of the county’s police officers and also 50 percent of the premium cost of life insurance for each officer’s dependents because they do not earn sufficient salary to pay these costs or their other benefits from their own salary it has been alluded to.

Likewise, at negotiations every time, it’s always stated that the county’s officers are far below the pay of all other officers in this state. We all know that to be a lie because the unions demand that the public fund all these people’s benefit premium costs in addition to their salaries.

Now commissioners, I question just how it’s that laying off two officers at $467,500 each solves the shortfall issue? Just exactly what sort of salary and Platinum plated benefit packages have you allowed the unions to demand that the taxpayers fund? At the underpaid salary of $467,500 each, why doesn’t the county hire a dozen more officers at such a bargain price?

Larry L. Mann | Port Orchard