By Steve Miller, chairman of the Pinal County Board of Supervisors, representing District 3 | The Arizona Republic
Representatives of the law-enforcement and public-safety professions have contacted me about not receiving raises in the past five years.
Many of these messages have been passionate and heartfelt, explaining personal hardships and sacrifices. Others have expressed a notion that somehow raises were guaranteed or promised.
After carefully considering these messages, my view is that the money we have is not the “county’s money.” It is money we take from the wallets of the taxpayers that we are here to serve. They expect us to use only what we need and not to take a penny more from them than absolutely necessary.
Just as law-enforcement professionals face risk, business owners take risks in setting up their shops. Homeowners take risks when they buy houses.