In these times of widespread uncertainty, many people are looking to elected officials at every level for assistance and reassurance. And although cynicism tends to flow strong in our current political atmosphere, it’s good to know we have some leaders right here in our community who are looking out for us and making decisions in our best interest.

As someone with experience in public service, I understand the hard choices these officials sometimes have to make. As a trustee on the Folsom Cordova Unified School District Board of Education, one of the most difficult decisions I have faced was my vote to shut down schools even though I knew it was in the best interest of the health and safety of our students. I appreciate the value, thoughtfulness, and complexity of good public leadership, and I think it is important to acknowledge when our local leaders make difficult, but correct decisions in our best interest.

On Wednesday, March 18th, the Sacramento Transportation Authority (STA) voted on Measure A, the County’s new transportation expenditure plan, which conveniently includes a new sales tax increase. The measure passed on a 13-3 vote.

I am grateful to the three members who opposed the measure: Sacramento County Supervisor Sue Frost, Citrus Heights City Councilmember Steve Miller, and Rancho Cordova City Councilmember Garrett Gatewood.

This expenditure plan has flown under the radar, and for good reason. Few residents are focused on funding for long-term transportation projects right now, and even fewer are likely to be supportive of a tax increase at a time when so many people have been plunged into sudden economic turmoil: facing unemployment, loan defaults, foreclosures, and evictions.

Frost, Miller, and Gatewood were the only STA members who seemed to recognize this. They deserve credit for showing that they actually understand their constituencies and are willing to make difficult decisions on their behalf. The pressure to expedite approval for this new plan was undoubtedly felt by all, but this is neither the time nor the place to support a tax increase. While it may have been easier to vote with the rest of the board, especially since the issue is so far removed from the public eye, I am thankful that these leaders made the right choice.

In the long run, as the public health crisis worsens and the economy continues to falter, I believe our community will look back at these three officials and thank them for their common sense. Months from now, if residents see an uptick in prices all over the county — while their wallets are still hurting from the current downturn — we will wish that more of our local leaders had the same foresight as Sue Frost, Steve Miller, or Garrett Gatewood.

This issue isn’t over yet. The County Board of Supervisors and local city councils are set to vote on the expenditure plan in the coming weeks. The Sacramento City Council has already approved it. I hope the rest of our local elected officials will follow the example set by Frost, Miller, and Gatewood. At a time when the public is understandably focused on more pressing issues, this should not be viewed as an opportunity to push through a tax increase.

We elect representatives to make important decisions on our behalf while we are occupied with our lives: running businesses, raising children, going to school. Now more than ever we should be able to rely on them to support our interests, rather than furtively passing a tax measure when our focus is averted.

There is still an opportunity for our county and cities to do right by us. They must have the foresight and common sense to understand that supporting this tax increase will only be harmful in the future.