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.

  1. 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. 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. It is time for an Executive to say “no” to those expenses we cannot budget for, and focus on the vital services at hand.

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, on Day 1, sign an Executive Order prohibiting any supervisor from requiring their employees to ask permission to speak with any member of the County Council. 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. 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!