Issues

PRODUCTIVE & TRANSPARENT BUSINESS - Restore a positive working relationship between the BOCC, the elected, county staff, and citizens so business can be discussed and conducted without debilitating and costly conflict.

Redesign agenda to allow short public comment period at the beginning and public comment on each agenda item.
Create an online agenda packet that is easy to navigate by each agenda item.
Make detailed information on county business available to the public online, to avoid costly and time consuming Public Records Requests.
Hold several workshops to create a good, easy to navigate, County website.

WHAT'S THE PLAN? - Haphazard growth is stressing our communities, infrastructure, public services, natural resources, and wallets. We need to conduct a comprehensive planning process that fully represents the vision for Bonner County going forward. Once established, implement a system to role out that plan effectively. Having a proper plan will positively impact every level of county government.

Hire a professional planning firm to evaluate whether the Comprehensive Plan (currently being updated) accurately represents the sentiment and goals of Bonner County's unique communities.
Utilize those professionals and the planning department to rewrite code in a way that will meet those goals.
Consider putting the Planning and Zoning commissions back together again.
Reconsider the role of the Hearing Examiner.

SUPPORT OUR PARKS & WATERWAYS - Bonner County is responsible for approx. 120,000 boatable acres that are seeing unprecedented use. Both the Parks and Recreation Dept and the Sheriff Marine Division have their work cut out for them, with funding dependent on user fees from State boat registration.

Pursue an out of state user fee to generate much needed revenue for these critical county facilities and services.
Support education to the public on general recreation and boating etiquette and safety rules on the water.

PROPERTY TAX REFORM - Our current property tax system in Idaho is not working for the people. Since we base our property assessments on the current market value, property owners see exaggerated highs and lows in their taxes. This creates hardship and uncertainty for people on a low or fixed income. I will work toward creating a working group to discuss and study alternatives to our current system. Some options include:

Using a running average to assess property values
Cap the requirement to pay property taxes to a certain age (example 70)
Follow a similar system to Prop 13 in CA, where assessed values were capped at fair market value and annual tax was limited to 1% of assessed value.
Increasing the Home Owners Exemption to be inline will current assessments.