|
Addressing County’s Pressing Issues and Funding |
|
|
Mike Mood, a candidate for the Middle Way district seat on the Jefferson County Commission, discussed the county’s most pressing issues. He highlighted the need for increased funding to support public safety, education, and other essential services. Mike emphasized that the county’s tax base is insufficient to meet these needs, and that the construction of new houses is exacerbating the problem. He suggested that the county should focus on attracting commercial growth to improve its tax base and reduce the burden on residential growth. Mike also mentioned that a public hearing on increasing impact fees for new construction is scheduled for November. |
|
|
School Enrollment Impact on Impact Fees |
|
|
Richard and Mike discussed the issue of school enrollment and its impact on the legal basis for impact fees. Richard pointed out that school enrollment was not increasing, which he believed should affect the legal basis for impact fees. Mike countered that the two high schools were actually overpopulated. Mike also mentioned that the county was adding a lot of homes, which would lead to a boom in school enrollment. Richard noted that declining fertility rates and an increase in private schooling and homeschooling were affecting the enrollment numbers, too. |
|
|
Concerns Over Local Taxes and Oversight |
|
|
Richard expressed concerns about the lack of transparency in local taxes, particularly the excess levy, which accounts for 40% of property tax. He also shared his experience with the Board of Review, which he felt was perfunctory and lacked sufficient oversight capacity regarding overseeing the Tax Assessor’s office. Richard suggested that the County Commission could improve the process and have more oversight over the tax office. Mike agreed that the Commission could have more oversight, but was unsure about the extent of their control over the Assessor’s office. |
|
|
Housing Values and Commissioner Decisions Discussion |
|
|
Mike and Richard discussed the rapid increase in housing values in Jefferson County, with Richard expressing concern that the land values for recent tax office assessments might not be genuine market values. Richard brought up the issue of whether or not Mike approved of removing Commissioners Krouse and Jackson. Mike agreed with Richard’s point that most citizens did not want Krouse and Jackson to be removed, but emphasized that we have to more forward and get the Commission working in a positive manner. Richard also brought up the issue of industrial scale solar farms as a top concern that hasn’t been adequately addressed. |
|
|
Solar Development Restrictions and Conditional Use |
|
|
Richard and Mike discussed the issue of solar development in their area. Initially, Mike was more favorable towards solar development, but after hearing the concerns of farmers and the impact on property values and storm water management, his opinion changed. He suggested that solar development should be considered as an additional use rather than a permitted use, and that restrictions should be put in place. Mike also proposed that solar panels should be set back at least 500 feet from property lines and that there should be a sufficient barrier of trees and greenery. Richard agreed with Mike’s suggestions and proposed that solar development should not be considered a permitted use in general, but rather a conditional use with restrictions. |
|
|
Solar Farms Feasibility and Government Subsidies |
|
|
Richard and Mike discussed the feasibility of solar farms in various locations, including a county dump and a quarry. They agreed that solar farms require a significant footprint to produce a small amount of power, especially in areas with frequent overcast conditions. They also discussed the role of government subsidies in the solar industry, with Mike stating that without these subsidies, solar farms would not be able to offer the high amounts of money they currently do to farmers. They concluded that pilot programs for solar farms should only be considered if they bring in a large number of jobs and contribute significantly to the county’s economy. |
|
|
Fire Service Funding Challenges and Oversight |
|
|
Richard and Mike discussed the challenges faced by the fire service in Middle Way. They talked about the commission’s decision to reject a levy for fire departments, which Mike explained was due to the commissioners’ reluctance to impose a tax on residents. Mike detailed the process of working towards a levy, which required it to go on the ballot, and the issues that arose during the review process. The main concern was the lack of control the county had over the money, which Mike argued was not the case as the Fire and Rescue Association only distributed the funds according to a predetermined plan. Despite this, the county still requested more control and oversight, leading to the request for a study. Mike expressed his concern about the fire service being way behind and the potential for the study to show the same. |
|
|
Volunteer Fire Service System Challenges |
|
|
Mike and Richard discussed the challenges faced by their fire service system, which is primarily volunteer-based. Mike highlighted the increasing operational costs and the need for a tax base to support the system. Richard raised concerns about the lack of firehouse services in the Shannondale area, suggesting the need for a new firehouse. Mike agreed, but noted that decisions about station locations and the creation of new fire companies are made by the respective fire companies, not the county or state. He also mentioned that the county is working towards establishing a new station in the Bardane area. |
|
|
Addressing Road Infrastructure Challenges |
|
|
Richard and Mike discussed the limited road infrastructure in their region with a growing population. They agreed that an additional exit or river crossing is needed to alleviate congestion and ensure safety, especially during emergencies when the current roads could be blocked. They discussed the need for a new route out of the mountain area, considering options like a feasibility study for different routes and bridge crossings. However, widening the existing road poses challenges due to potentially taking out many homes. Mike suggested involving the Department of Highways to find a solution, as doing nothing is not viable. |
|
|
Addressing Childcare and Family Structure Issues |
|
|
Mike expressed concern about the lack of childcare facilities in the county, with a 13-month wait for daycare spots and the need to schedule before getting pregnant. He suggested encouraging larger daycare centers to come to the county and possibly offering classes for those interested in expanding their business into in-home daycare. Richard agreed, noting the societal issues related to the high number of children born outside of marriage and the need for stable family structures. Both emphasized the importance of creating local jobs to address these issues and improve the quality of life for residents. |
|
|
Addressing Job Growth and County Challenges |
|
|
Mike and Richard discussed the need for job growth and attracting businesses that offer decent wages in their area. They acknowledged the challenges of site development and permit processes in Jefferson County, which could deter potential businesses. They also touched on the potential of tourism and vineyard expansion as sources of tax revenue, but expressed concerns about the impact of solar farms on the county’s aesthetics. They agreed on the need for job creation, particularly for seasonal work, and suggested a study to understand the workforce and attract businesses that align with their needs. They also discussed the issue of substance abuse and its impact on the workforce, with Mike suggesting more vocational training to prepare people for trades. Richard expressed his opposition to the excess levy, stating that it was supporting a bloated office rather than teaching staff. They concluded that understanding the county as a whole is crucial for making recommendations and decisions. |
|