If elected to the Ada County Commission in November, I will strive to implement a series of much-needed reforms. Some of these reforms I could implement single-handedly; for others, there would have to be a second Commissioner who shared the same public service philosophy. My proposal includes:

• Exploring the possibility of replacing the Planning and Zoning Commission with a mediation process. The contentious Planning and Zoning Commission process pits neighborhoods against developers. Decisions are made by appointed – rather than elected – Commissioners. In contrast, mediation would provide a process wherein all interested parties could work together toward consensus on development issues. The elected Ada County Commissioners would still be in place to make final decisions about any unresolved issues.



• Buying out the contract for Courthouse parking from CCDC (Capital City Development Corporation – Boise City’s Urban Renewal Agency) so members of the public would have free parking and easier access to Ada County government. People should be encouraged, rather than discouraged in every way possible, to attend County meetings and participate in County government if they so desire.



• Adopting zero-based budgeting to cut wasteful spending, prioritize more important expenditures, and increase accountability.



• Operating in an open and accountable manner at all times. The public often feels shut out of Ada County government and must be welcomed back in.



• Moving weekly “Open” Business Meetings, now held Tuesday mornings, to the evening so interested members of the public can more easily attend to see how the County’s business is handled.



• Creating a personal website to communicate directly with the public about what is going on in Ada County government, rather than communicating through the media or a County PR person.



• Adding a “public forum” to every Open Business Meeting and Public Hearing agenda so members of the public can share concerns with their elected Commissioners.



• Adding once-a-month evening Town Hall Meetings for the Commission, outside of the downtown Boise area, in order to let people know what is going on and to listen to the public’s concerns about Ada County. One month the meeting could be in Eagle, the next month Kuna, the next month Star, etc., on a rotating basis.



• Recording Commission meetings using digital technology, rather than audiocassettes, to improve quality, extend the life of the recordings, and cut down on storage space.



• Making as much County information and documentation as possible available online for the public. Minutes, resolutions, ordinance changes, comprehensive plan updates, etc. should all be available from one’s home (or local school or library) via the internet. Only when people have quick and easy access to County information will we truly achieve an open, accountable Ada County government.



• Providing, if possible for a reasonable cost, the opportunity for people to tune into “real-time” Commission meetings and hearings from their home or office.



• Responding to public records requests electronically (using e-mail, for example), whenever possible and desired by the person submitting the records request. Doing so would save time, money and hassle because people could avoid having to travel to the Courthouse to obtain records.

It is high time for some much-needed Ada County government reform.

Restlessness and discontent are the first necessities of progress. ~ Thomas A. Edison