My plan for cache county
Cache County faces unique challenges. Rapid growth, increased cost of living and discord among elected officials all threaten the things that make Cache County a great place to live. My plan to combat these challenges can be summed up in five priorities I would adopt as your County Executive.
Fiscal Responsibility
We are fortunate to live in a County with relatively low property taxes and fees. Cache County collects the least amount of revenue per resident out of all counties in Utah, according to the Utah Taxpayer’s Association. In recent years, however, Cache County government has begun to operate at a deficit, even after a 12% property tax increase last year. This is largely because between 2020 and 2025, the County’s General Fund expenses increased by 90 percent, with deficit spending exploding during that time. While inflation has sharply increased costs for the County, elected officials need to start by cutting these rising expenses before raising taxes. As County Executive, I will ensure County government is not taking on new or unnecessary responsibilities, which bring on costs borne by taxpayers. I am committed to proposing balanced budgets that rely on rainy-day funds or tax increases only when it is truly raining.
While our County’s budget situation may seem alarming, our County has a history of taking on only those responsibilities it needs and not spending lavishly. Here are a few ideas I plan to implement to get our budget under control:
Deliver a tentative budget in July of each year: In recent years, Executives have waited until September or October to deliver the tentative budget, which goes into effect January 1. As Executive, I will deliver a tentative budget in July, giving the Council, my Office, and the County Auditor 5 months to implement the will of the County Council into the next year’s budget.
Establish Zero Base Budgeting (ZBB), commonly used by governments to re-examine, on a regular basis, every expense. On a regular interval, every department in the County will rebuild its budget from the ground up, justifying each line-item.
Unified suppliers for common expenses: the County purchases some goods, such as vehicles, machinery, and office equipment/supplies from a variety of suppliers, depending on which departments are purchasing which item. If the County began purchasing these common items from a single supplier, based on a single contract, we will be able to negotiate better deals and save taxpayer dollars.
Propose limits on future use of fund balance: I would propose to the County Council an ordinance prohibiting the use of General Fund balance (in other words, deficit spending) for non-emergency operating expenses, unless the amount in the General Fund reserves exceeds the maximum allowed under state law. In other words, our County’s Rainy Day fund could only be used for one-time expenses or emergencies, unless it has grown larger than what we are allowed to hold onto.
It is time for an Executive to say “no” to expenses we cannot budget for, and focus on the vital services at hand!
The graph above shows the increase in deficit spending from those funds supported by Cache County’s two property tax levies. For the purposes of this graph, additional revenue collected from a tax increase is considered deficit spending, though one of these two tax levies (Tax Administration) has not seen an increase in the time period shown.
2. Improved Relationship Between Legislative and Executive Branches
Cache County is fortunate to have a government that mirrors the one created in the U.S. Constitution. This means separate and defined legislative and executive branches, with the County Council serving as the legislative branch. While some friction between branches is healthy, Cache County has spent most of the last 5 years watching two branches completely unable to work together. Cache County’s next Executive must be able and willing to understand his role, and how it relates to the legislative body. He also must be able to listen to and consider the views of Council members, and respect the role the Council has over policy, budget, and oversight.
As County Executive, I will sign an executive order on day one allowing any county employee to speak freely with any member of the County Council or other County elected officers. This will improve communication between the branches immediately. It will make county leadership accountable and protect vital lines of communication. I will also invite Council members into meetings with Department Heads and budget planning meetings. I will value their opinion, and understand that my primary role is to carry out programs and policies established by the county legislative body.
3. Improved Services
Cache County provides a variety of important services, especially to Cache County’s unincorporated area. While all of these services deserve important care and attention, there are two areas worthy of special concern.
First, Cache County has been without a Development Services Director for almost a year. This is one of the most important non-elected positions in the County, and it requires approval from the County Council. As County Executive, I will set aside any disagreements I may have with Council members and find a qualified individual to fill this role as soon as possible. The needs of the County far outweigh any personal interest an individual Executive might have in filling this position.
Second, in the last few years, some county roads in the remote parts of the County have been under threat by private landowners (often from outside Cache County), who unlawfully obstruct these roads. Cache County must be vigilant in protecting these roads, and I will work with our Public Works Department and Attorney’s Office to identify potential roads under threat, and consider ways we can prevent the obstruction of roads we all should have access to.
4. Development for Kids and Cows, but Not For Cars
Growth in Cache County continues apace, often disrupting the unique character of our Valley, putting a strain on services and budgets, and causing congestion and traffic. This growth provides exciting economic opportunity, but local governments also have a responsibility to preserve what makes our communities worth moving to in the first place. For Cache County, that means protecting, the best we can, our agricultural heritage, while still ensuring affordable homes are being built for young families.
When Cache County is considering its future, it needs to preserve open space and agricultural land for as long as reasonably possible, until a local municipality can incorporate it and begin the transition of that land into truly affordable housing. Cities are better equipped at managing these affordable developments. But this also means limiting sprawling subdivisions in rural areas, which do little to attract young families short on cash, while also taking land out of agriculture.
In short, we need to prioritize growth that encourages affordable, family friendly housing, while in the meantime, protect our agricultural land to the extent possible. Otherwise, we build sprawling subdivisions fit only for cars, but not for kids or cows.
5. Just Do the Work!
As Cache County’s next Executive, I am committed to focusing on what matters in county government. I am committed to being in the office daily, and to serving out the full term to which I am elected- no more County officials resigning mid-term!
Cache County needs an Executive less concerned with photo ops, and more concerned with the obscure details of departmental budgeting. We need an Executive who spends less time at ribbon cuttings, and more time identifying changes to the County’s procurement process, or reorganizing the vehicle fleet. We need a professional- one who has experience with state and local policy, and understands how to update and implement policy. These are things I have been doing my entire career. I hope that I have gained your confidence to continue it in the Cache County Executive’s Office. Let’s get to work!