PORT ANGELES — Candidates Randy Johnson, Ron Richards, Maggie Roth and Gabe Rygaard — who are running in the Aug. 2 primary election for the Clallam County commissioner District 2 seat — answered questions about their positions.
District 2 covers the Port Angeles area.
Would you increase property taxes by the 1 percent allowed under state law without a vote of the people?
Johnson: No one likes property tax increases.
However, the voters elect the county commissioners to make difficult decisions.
The 1 percent increase allows flexibility when developing the county budget.
Richards: I would vote for such an increase if it were necessary for a financially sound county government that was using the money wisely, making good decisions with public support and trying to improve our economy and our quality of life.
Roth: No.
Rygaard: No, I would not raise property taxes.
I am against a tax increase.
To what extent should the county continue to spend down reserves that are proportionally larger than most other counties?
Johnson: Clallam County is in relatively good financial condition because there were reserves to get the county through the last “great” recession.
The commissioners made a decision to spend down some of these reserves in 2016, which made good sense.
I believe a reserve balance needs to be maintained at current levels, and any future reduction must be closely evaluated.
A healthy economy will rebuild the reserve fund so that it is available for the future.
Richards: No more than $1.5 million next year and gradually decreasing amounts thereafter until reserves total $7 million.
We cannot continue to rely on reserves to balance the budget.
I would only support going below $7 million for one-time expenditures to increase the efficiency of county government, improve our economy or respond to emergency situations.
Our reserves indicate the county is still fiscally sound.
I want to keep it that way.
Roth: With the reserves at $9.2 million, unassigned reserves will be held at a minimum of 5 percent of the general fund operating budget.
Special revenue funds that include payroll are required to maintain 10 percent of the budgeted operating expenditures in reserve.
With a budget projected at $33.8 million, we need to just do the math.
Rygaard: The county’s current and past commissioners have made decisions to spend down reserves on investments for our future.
The only way I would allow the county to spend down reserves would be in the event of a disaster or to increase jobs and economic growth.
With government grants vanishing, how should the county continue to fund social services?
Johnson: Grants are historically unreliable as a long-term funding source, and if a new grant is not available, the county is left with the decision to end the program or add the expense to the budget.
The commissioners must set priorities.
The need for social services increases in a poor economy, so as your commissioner, I will make job retention and job creation a priority.
Richards: The county’s social services operate under several budgets with many revenue sources.
A 0.1 percent local sales tax is one of the main sources.
Federal grant money could increase for dealing with potentially violent persons.
Coupling workforce development with substance abuse efforts and the Port Angeles Police Department’s initiative to have addicted citizens treated rather than arrested promise to help the county’s substance abuse efforts while reducing costs — a key to managing taxpayers’ money.
Roth: Use a variety of strategies to deal with reduced funding while looking for new revenue either contributed or by seeking increased contributions from the public, and by advocating with state and county legislators.
Avoid cutting back on services to programs until they have no other choice.
One potentially positive outcome is that budget deficits often initiate more innovative, creative and perhaps, in the long run, better ways to fund and operate the services.
Rygaard: Social services are a necessity for caring for the people of our county.
We need less county government, expenditures and waste involved in social services, and more revenue.
This will take a collaborative effort between the commissioners, staff and budget as well as a leader who is willing to work with social services to make sure that our community is connected, being cared for and working together.
What would be your top accomplishment, and how would you achieve it?
Johnson: This county can achieve great things with the growth in jobs created by the private sector.
The county does not create jobs directly but can facilitate this process by working with other governmental entities, business organizations, Peninsula College and others to create a business-friendly atmosphere that can be measured by decreased unemployment and real wage increases for our workforce.
This will be my priority in my first year as commissioner.
Richards: Being part of a respected board of commissioners. I would earn that respect by focusing county programs on economic development, coupling workforce development efforts with mental health and substance abuse programs, promoting development through environmental considerations, encouraging public participation, working well with other agencies, increasing county input on state and federal actions, being fiscally responsible and promoting the public good.
My professional and governmental experience, education and training will help accomplish this.
Roth: Encourage economic development and job creation, which will help with community health and safety.
Rygaard: I would make sure our timber lands are managed properly and sustainably.
Timber is the world’s No. 1 structurally sound, viable and renewable resource.
We have every opportunity to get in the forefront of cross-laminated timber.
We can manufacture it in Clallam County.
It sequesters huge amounts of carbon and is environmentally friendly.
I plan to work on building cost, the infrastructure and partnering city and port leadership to make this happen.
Why should voters choose you over your opponents?
Johnson: My record includes over 40 years of successful, diverse experience in the private and nonprofit sectors.
This includes the ability to make difficult decisions based on facts, understanding and evaluation of the alternatives and arriving at the best solution.
This experience in making decisions comes from being the individual responsible for the final decision and the resulting outcomes.
This differentiates me from my opponents.
Richards: My service as a county commissioner and other business, legal and government experience demonstrate proven judgment and the ability to get things done.
My positions on the issues, reached after careful study, are in tune with the voters.
I support Wild Olympics, the state DNR [Department of Natural Resources] managing county timberland and coupling workforce development with mental health and substance abuse initiatives.
I oppose the electronic warfare range.
My plan to improve county government is comprehensive and attainable.
Roth: I have spent the last six years studying the issues facing Clallam County citizens.
I am prepared to make reasonable, responsible budget decisions for Clallam County.
Rygaard: I am not from and do not work for the Clallam County political establishment.
I am a hometown man with hometown solutions, ready and willing to work for the people of Clallam County.
Our county desperately needs jobs.
I am not afraid to put in the time, effort and sacrifice to protect our freedom and livelihood as citizens of this county.
A vote for Gabe Rygaard is a vote for the people of Clallam County.
