Grand Forks County Commissioner 2-Year Term Choose 1
The Commission approves policy and the budget, oversees spending, and administers county programs.
Biographical Information
Campaign Email
thodny@hselecserv.com
Campaign Phone Number
2187792447
What are your top priorities?
My top priorities are improving long-term financial sustainability, strengthening budgeting and capital planning, and ensuring the county can continue delivering essential services efficiently. I also want to improve transparency, increase accountability in county operations, and ensure taxpayer dollars are being used responsibly and effectively.
What is the biggest challenge facing the county, and how would you address it?
The biggest challenge is long-term financial pressure caused by rising expenditures, capital projects, and associated bond obligations. I believe the county needs stronger long-term forecasting, disciplined capital planning, regular review of discretionary spending, and a continued focus on operational efficiency to avoid future strain on essential services and taxpayers.
How would you address the housing needs of the county?
Housing availability and affordability are important to the county’s long-term growth and workforce stability. I support responsible development, infrastructure planning, and cooperation between local governments, developers, and utilities to help encourage additional housing opportunities while maintaining smart growth and protecting taxpayers from unnecessary costs.
Do you expect that the new state law capping property tax budget increases at 3% will impact the county’s budget?
Yes. Any limitation on revenue growth will require the county to become even more disciplined in budgeting and long-term planning. It reinforces the importance of prioritizing essential services, carefully evaluating discretionary spending, improving efficiency, and maintaining a clear understanding of future capital and bond obligations.
How would you address the county’s list of infrastructure maintenance projects?
The county needs a clear long-term capital improvement plan that prioritizes projects based on necessity, safety, cost, and long-term value. Deferred maintenance often becomes more expensive later, so projects should be planned proactively with full consideration of funding sources, debt impacts, and ongoing operational costs.
Biographical Information
What are your top priorities?
Representing the tax paying citizens of Grand Forks County by maintaining expected services while not increasing taxes. It's easy to point out issues/problems, the real work is finding the solution.
What is the biggest challenge facing the county, and how would you address it?
Maintaining a balanced budget while providing the necessary services is the biggest challenge. Looking at how the tax payer's money can be spent more efficiently. Work with department heads and fellow commissioners to find areas that can be improved financially while providing the expected services.
How would you address the housing needs of the county?
Work with entities outside of the county, such as EDC, city representatives within the county, developers and state legislators to see what assitance the county can be, while keeping in mind what is expected from my constituants and what makes sense for the county.
Do you expect that the new state law capping property tax budget increases at 3% will impact the county’s budget?
The answer to this has to be yes when looking at historical data. This law requires the county to be more diligent in budgeting while looking at different means/methods to be more efficient.
How would you address the county’s list of infrastructure maintenance projects?
Prioritize what needs to be completed and when. Come up with a 10 year maintenance plan for all infrastucture, taking in consideration the age and expected life expectancy of items, and budget accordingly. This maintenace plan should be visited/updated/reviewed annually.