The Washington County Commission is the county’s primary governing body, typically serving 4-year staggered terms. Commissioners set policy, adopt the county budget, and oversee major decisions related to land use, infrastructure, public services, and economic development. They coordinate with cities, state agencies, and special districts while balancing growth, environmental concerns, and taxpayer resources.
Campaign Phone
435-680-9853
The rapid growth in Washington County is concentrated in municipalities. The incorporated cities and towns have mayors and councils which decide zoning, density, basic design, etc. Growth inside the unincorporated county, where the commissioners have some sway, has been very moderate. Limitations on septic allowances (monitored in many cases by the state of Utah), water availability, overlay zones, transportation concerns, and other requirements, have greatly slowed any massive growth in the rural areas. Preserving community character has always been my focus. That includes respect for neighbors, traditions, historical sites, the natural surroundings, and preservation of what makes rural areas special. I can't control what cities do.
We can't close the doors in a free country. But growth must take into consideration how water is used. My focus is on reuse and the distribution of water we already have. Sure, limit grass, uncovered pools, thirsty industries and liberal personal use. We need to build reservoirs, process waste water for non-culinary use, and be sure invisible leaks in old pipes are tracked down and repaired. Above all though, we must preserve our urban forest and plant trees that clean the air and lower temperatures along streets, in homes and parks. A healthy, properly watered tree canopy will be an asset to the county for decades.
Continue to pay their impact fees, limit outdoor culinary use and tie into reuse secondary water for yards and tree scapes. Developers impacts must be paid for by developers. I am against increment financing that burdens homeowners on their property taxes for up to 30 years or more.
That's part of all my input on such projects. Anything that will be built with the intent of turning it over to county maintenance, must be built to county standards. Thereafter, when the transfer of responsibility for roads (i.e.), is given to the county, the homeowners along that road pay property tax for future maintenance. For some projects, a bond is required to avoid damage to existing county infrastructure.
I support the corridor for the needed east/west transportation needs. It reduces air pollution, congestion and helps residents crossing the county to spend less time in their cars. There is NO commercial or residential construction allowed along the corridor. All precautions in construction remove manmade dangers to the desert tortoise. Also, I want to preserve zone 6 by Bloomington for the existing recreational uses. I'm sad for the location of the corridor where homes currently exist. That is not where I would have placed it, but that was not a county decision. Not a cop out, but seriously, I was not asked about location. The less impactful route the county proposed was opposed by the environmentalists.
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