Committee Assignments for 2018-2020

For the 2018-2020 board, here are the committee assignments I will be serving:

• Human Services Committee
• History Center Liason
• Quasi-Governmental Agency Ad-Hoc Committee (probable)

The Human Services Committee may be very active, as we will begin over-site of the ADRC, Veteran's Services, and Samaritan.  From a budgetary standpoint, it will be almost half of the Counties annual budget in one committee (I haven't calculated the exact percentage).

Serving as a liason to the History Center will enable me to maintain over-site of their transition towards self-sufficiency.  Our History Center is an important part of our community, but as I have mentioned in the past, the County will not be able to continue its very generous funding of the History Center for more than 2-3 years.  They are initiating their own plan towards becoming self-sufficient, and I want to be an ally in that effort, so this will be a nice role for me.

The Quasi-Governmental Agency Ad-Hoc Committee will be reconstituted over the next month or so, and I anticipate continuing my assignment with that committee.  That Committee has already overseen the EDWC (Economic Development Corporation of Washington County) in transitioning to self-sufficiency.  AIS (the group that runs County Fair Park, the Visitor's Bureau, and the History Center are all being asked to work towards transitioning to self-sufficiency.

Capital Improvement Plan

Last week Tuesday, I voted against the proposed Capital Improvement Plan.  My primary areas of concern were:

• A proposed increase in the County's reliance on sales tax revenue for its regular operations.  Right now 40% of the revenue from the sales tax goes towards the county's operational expenses.  With this plan, in 2023 the company will increase that to 50%.
• I am concerned about the additional borrowing of $10 million in 2019 and $12 million in 2023.  Overall, the County is pretty responsible in its borrowing, but borrowing $22 million is concerning. 

While the plan passed, the borrowing will come before the board again, and at that time I'll be carefully scrutinizing the particulars.  There is a time and place for responsible borrowing---after all, most of us have mortgages on our house.  At the same time, $22 million in 5 years is a lot, and I am going to cautious before voting for any new borrowing.

Thank You for Re-Electing Me

I just saw the election results, and I want to thank my neighbors in District 3 for re-electing me, so that I can continue to do the good work I have done over the last 2 years.  I am honored and privileged to serve again.  I also want to thank my neighbors who cared so much about our community that they engaged in great discussions with me about the issues we face.  Thank you as well.

I also want to thank everyone who supported me in my re-election effort.  Whether it be by hosting a yard sign, writing a letter to the editor on my behalf, endorsing me, or encouraging neighbors to vote for me, you efforts are appreciated.  Thank you everyone.

I also want to thank Ralph Hensel.  Ralph has served our community honorably, first as a career educator, and then for 14 years as a County Board Supervisor.  While Ralph and I may not agree on every issue, we agree on a lot and we both care very deeply about making sure Washington County remains a great place to live and work.  I have a tremendous respect for Ralph and everything he has done for our community, and my wishes and prayers are all for good things for Ralph and his family.

I've made my promises over the last few months, and over the next 2 years I will be working to see them through.

And once again, to my neighbors in district 3, I offer my most sincere thanks.