Daly and Unger take our questions
Published: November 01. 2008 4:00AM PST
Three candidates are running for a seat on the Deschutes County Commission in Tuesday’s election. Republican incumbent Mike Daly, of Redmond, Democrat Alan Unger, of Redmond, and John Boyle, of La Pine, who is not affiliated with a political party, are vying for Position 2 on the three-member commission. The commission is the policymaking body for Deschutes County government. Commissioners serve four-year terms, work full time and earn $76,926 per year.
The winner in Tuesday’s election will join commissioners Dennis Luke and Tammy Baney, both Republicans.
For its online Voter Guide, The Bulletin asked the candidates about the most important issues facing the county, how they would address them and other questions.
Boyle did not answer.
Daly said the two most important issues facing the county are adding on to the county jail and the present economic slowdown.
Unger said funding for road maintenance and modernization projects and paying for the jail expansion are the most important.
How would you get Deschutes County through the current economic downturn? If you would cut spending, where would you do that?
Mike Daly: Deschutes County is in the business of providing services such as health, mental health, landfill, county road maintenance, sheriff’s and jail services, search and rescue, and children’s services through the Commission on Children and Families, to name a few. During the past few years when times were good, we were able to put back some extra money in most of these departments into reserve accounts. Most of the departments will be OK for the remainder of this fiscal year. Our Community Development Department, which does building inspections and planning, have suffered a large loss to their revenues because of the loss of permit fees. We have cut spending by laying off some employees in this department.
Alan Unger: I would look to the treasurer, Marty Wynne, and county administrator, Dave Kanner, to give us the state of the county today and monthly through the rest of the budget year. In lean times, businesses need to downsize — likewise, governments. If adjustments are needed, I will push to maintain services to citizens and to keep staff by taking steps such as a reduced work week or delaying some projects.
I would also call for a five-year projection of services and expenses, updated annually, so we can make good strategic decisions for the future. Fortunately, Deschutes County is in better fiscal shape than most other counties in Oregon.
Concerning spending cuts, the county receives funds that are earmarked by law for certain services, so they are not really subject to cuts. And cutting staff is a two-edged sword; we invest a lot of money and time to train them in their positions, and that would be lost with a pink slip. I would freeze hiring, look to share staff between departments, and consider reduced work weeks. I would discuss with staff whether it is really necessary to fill the health self-insurance fund at the present funding level. Could we extend its payment plan out more years to free up money today for department budgets?
What do you think are the two other most important issues facing Deschutes County?
Mike Daly: 1. Adding on to our existing jail. There are two statewide ballot measures on the ballot this year, and if either one of them passes, our jails statewide will fill up fast.
2. The slowdown in the economy, which will result in the possible curtailment or elimination of services to citizens that the county provides.
Alan Unger: 1. Funding for road maintenance and modernization projects.
2. Funding for jail expansion.
What would you do to address the first issue?
Mike Daly: The original plan was to sell some excess county land to finance a new jail, estimated cost of about $40 million. Since then, we have learned that the land we had identified to sell has problems getting sewer, water and transportation issues, which make it tough to sell, especially in the current market. The commissioners, with a 2-to-1 vote, voted to spend approximately $2 million to go ahead and design this new jail without any idea of how we are going to pay for it. I voted no to move forward without a clear plan to pay for the jail. At some point we may have to ask the voters if they want to finance a new jail if the county land sale does not move forward.
Alan Unger: Finding new money for anything is very difficult these days. We need $2.8 million annually just to get back to where we were before we lost the federal timber payments. The cost of oil and rock is going up rapidly, adding to the problem. For modernization and growth projects, I support creating system development charges for transportation, paid by new development.
For maintenance money, I have asked state leaders for an opinion on a solution involving Measure 50, but they believed it would be too hard to get it passed.
We need to have a candid conversation with our citizens, explain the problem, and give some options such as a regional gas tax; higher vehicle registration fees, or a reduced road maintenance plan, and see what they support.
What would you do to address the second issue?
Mike Daly: During the good times the past few years, we were able to put some extra money into reserve accounts in most of our departments. They should be fine this fiscal year with the exception of Community Development and roads. Community Development is funded totally with fees from permits. Because of the slowdown in building we have had to lay off some employees. The road department lost $3 million of federal dollars, which will affect our long-term maintenance program if these funds are not replaced. We have raised the tipping fee at the landfill $5 a ton and gave these funds to the road department. This will generate about 900,000 dollars. We have imposed system development charges on new construction, which should provide additional funds when building starts up again. I voted no on the SDCs because this was not the time to impose more fees on an industry that is struggling. We are also looking at room taxes as additional funds to use on tourism-related roads only, which is quite controversial. An additional 2 percent room tax will be on the November ballot this year for the voters to decide. Room taxes are usually not paid by our local residents.
Alan Unger: We need to expand our jail to keep lawbreakers in custody. The county plans to sell land to get the $40 million needed, but problems have slowed down the sale.
First, I would look for a short-term solution like housing prisoners in the Jefferson County jail when needed.
Second, I would continue to look for other county-owned land to sell while we work on the present plan.
Third, I would continue to talk to our citizens to keep them informed and listen for other solutions they would support.
Why should the voters choose you over your opponents?
Mike Daly: I have had eight years of experience serving the citizens of Deschutes County, and I know the workings of the county very well. I have always been a fiscal conservative when it comes to spending taxpayer’s money. My rule has always been that I would not spend tax dollars on anything I would not spend my own money on. I was in business for over 20 years and have had the experience of having to come up with payroll every two weeks. Business experience is a very important skill to have when you are a county commissioner. I have had to make some very unpopular decisions while serving in this role, and I made them based on what was best for my county, not on whether or not it would cost me votes in a future election. I am the best and most experienced man for this job, and I ask for your vote of confidence in this election.
Alan Unger: I am the better candidate. I have new knowledge, experience and relationships acquired during my eight years as mayor of Redmond, eight years as Redmond planning commissioner, and a member of state committees, to tackle the problems facing Deschutes County. Redmond is an example of my work. It is ready and is taking advantage of the present challenges. I care about our county; I want to maintain our beautiful environment, our quality of life and the character of Deschutes County. I want to solve problems like forest health, water use, growth of higher education, more family wage jobs, strengthened public transit and fix our highways.
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