VOTE411 Voter Guide

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There has been a growing need for mental health and substance abuse treatment for years, and now with the closings of Sacred Heart Hospital and the Libertas Center, the need is even more acute. Without adequate nearby inpatient psychiatric and outpatient clinical services, there will be increased wait times and higher costs for placement at other facilities. Mental health disorders and alcohol and drug addictions place pressures on law enforcement, human services, and public health departments, as well as affecting families, schools, and workplaces. I believe we need to work with regional and state entities to expand treatment services and ideally build and staff a crisis stabilization center.

We are fortunate to enjoy lakes, rivers, and streams in our county. Addressing contamination of surface and ground water should be a high priority. We need to invest in private well-testing, support smart agricultural practices, and find solutions to keeping lakes and rivers clean. I will support funding through the budget and encourage the seeking of grants to study the sources of pollution and remediation where possible.

Maintenance of roads and bridges is critical to the transportation needs of residents and businesses. Because state and federal funding has failed to match the rising costs of labor and materials, a vehicle registration fee was implemented six years ago which brings in about $2.5 million dedicated to replacement and maintenance of roads and bridges. Over the past six years, our highway department has been able to improve the conditions of our roads to an above-average rating, as well as replacing failing bridges. I believe this additional fee is necessary for the safety of travelers and to support economic development throughout the county.

The anticipated cost increases for mental health care and drug addiction treatment will put a major strain on the Human Services budget. I will ask that the entire board is regularly updated on the fiscal challenges for that department to deliver mandated services. Levy dollars may need to be shifted from other operational areas. • The board will need to work together to agree on what is a reasonable and responsible amount to maintain in the General Fund vs how much debt should be carried. While reducing debt service is desirable, the county also needs to be prepared to have the available funds to ride out any unanticipated catastrophic or disruptive events in the future. I will support any efforts to have a long-range strategic plan in place to create the appropriate balance.