Barnes County Commissioner District 4 Choose 1
The County Commission is voted on by district, so you will only see this race on your ballot if you live in this district.The Commission approves policy and the budget, oversees spending, and administers county programs.
Biographical Information
Endorsements
Self funded
Campaign Phone Number
7014900203
What are your top priorities?
My top priority has always been cutting costs, being fiscally responsible.
I would also like to see our communities grow.
I would also like to see fairness to everyone in the community.
What is the biggest challenge facing the county, and how would you address it?
Keeping Taxes down. This would involve cutting budgets. A necessity, but a difficult task.
How would you address the housing needs of the county?
Right now, the commission has approved $15,000 for any new houses built in the county. We were hoping more houses would equal more families and more growth.
Do you expect that the new state law capping property tax budget increases at 3% will impact the county’s budget?
The 3% tax will affect the county. Right now it has a little affect. But if we ever have an emergency, we would have to scramble to find the funds.
How would you address the county’s list of infrastructure maintenance projects?
I would like to see the money spread around the county. I would also like to see the worst roads being fixed first. The County has been very good at putting in new culverts.
Biographical Information
What are your top priorities?
My platform is centered on promoting enhanced transparency within our County government, improving employee retention and the work environment for County staff and exploring the feasibility of transitioning Barnes County to a Home Rule Charter county.
What is the biggest challenge facing the county, and how would you address it?
The biggest challenge our County faces is the outmigration of people in the past few years for better jobs. This leaves an erosion of the Tax base, a shrinking workforce, and government agencies stuggling to recruit and retain employees when private-sector elsewhere are more attractive. This all leads to a shrinking revenue stream and services that will have to be cut or greatly reduced. This county has loss nearly 400 people since 2020. We need jobs that pay competitively.
How would you address the housing needs of the county?
I’m happy that the current policy makers have made efforts to addressed these issues, and I will continue to support these needed programs along with searching for others that may be beneficial to our county. With the Single-family homebuyers assistant program. 10k for homes in Valley City, and 15K in rural Barnes County. The Barnes County Housing Authority providing Section 8 Choice vouchers and Public Housing for those in need.
Do you expect that the new state law capping property tax budget increases at 3% will impact the county’s budget?
Yes, since I’m a Department Head in a county, I see the impact first hand. The increase in wages, fuel, healthcare cost, services, and the necessary supplies used in day to day operations have all exceeded the 3% increase. We will have workforce challenges, decreases in our county reserves to make ends meet, delays in services, projects and repairs and will have to make difficult decisions on equipment and projects. Working around this will be difficult going forward.
How would you address the county’s list of infrastructure maintenance projects?
The roadways in the county should be our main focal point when it comes to maintence projects. I would work hard searching for, and applying for funding thru the state such as; Operation Prairie Dog, Flex Fund, and ND Legacy Fund provide grants for projects. We all need roads, they’re the one thing in the county that every person needs to live. In in my current job, I have established a working relationship with many state departments and personnel. They are use to me asking for money.