Ballot Statement

By Tim Smith

An election offers you a choice. I will opt-out of the county pension system in order to support Sonoma County services that are currently underfunded, avoiding any self-interest while solving the pension crisis.

During the past four years Supervisors unanimously approved Sonoma County's garbage hauling contract 20-year extension without competitive bidding, costing over $500 million, and authorized pension bonds, significantly worsening our fiscal crisis. Pension bonds, underfunded pension and other retiree liabilities now place an over $1 billion burden upon taxpayers. We can't afford it!

The county pension system is stacked with abusive perks, including spiking, which squander county resources otherwise available for better uses. I will reduce my compensation by over 20 percent, opting-out of the county pension system for Supervisors in order to support Sonoma County services such as public safety, public health, parks, libraries, animal shelter, voter outreach and roads that are currently underfunded, avoiding any self-interest while solving this crisis.

We need responsible leadership, requiring shared sacrifice and clear accountability to taxpayers.

I will work for you to - improve our local economy through fiscally responsible decision-making creating good jobs; the environment to protect our natural resources for a sustainable future; and equity to assure social justice for all.

Together we'll work for a better future. Please see http://www.Vote4Tim.com. Thanks for your vote, it's appreciated!