1. What are the two greatest issues or challenges faced by Madison County and how would your service help to resolve those issues? The main challenge faced by Madison County is budgetary. The State of Idaho and all Idaho counties are budgeting for retracted spending for fiscal years 2010-11 in response to lessened revenues. As we saw with the Governor’s 2010 “State of the State” address, he is implementing a 4% holdback and is expected to request more. This directly affects Madison County. Constant diligence with expenditures and conservative budgeting, by each department need to be adhered to in order to keep Madison County in good financial shape. As Madison County Clerk, I will make sure each department receives budget updates regularly, so they know exactly how much they have remaining for the year. The second challenge to Madison County is to ensure the county is utilizing funds available to them responsibly. We need to make sure everyone pays their fair share and monies are spent wisely. We need to look ahead and prepare for future large expenditures as well as find a more efficient use of our county funds. I will always ensure that the clerk’s office runs under budget.
2. If elected what organizational or procedural changes would you make to your department? I would like to make sure our department is more open with the public, Madison County Departments, and our governmental neighbors. I believe the budgetary process should be completely transparent to all. Madison County citizens deserve to know what their tax dollars are being used for. Inside the Madison County government, the department heads and elected officials need to know this information throughout the entire budget cycle. There needs to be a greater focus on cash flow. Just because a budget shows there is money in it, doesn’t mean there is cash to back it up. I have over 35 years of experience in doing this. I will provide training to all who desire to know the budget and ask for input from inside and outside the county. I believe this is critical to being good stewards over public monies.
3. In what ways will you make the services offered by your department more accessible to residents of Madison County? The public deserves prompt and friendly service. The clerk’s office web site should be always current as to the commissioner meetings, and all matters relating to the public. Agendas and minutes should be promptly available to the public via the web, to insure the public knows what is going on with their county government. I also believe in cross-training employees. You should not have to wait in line for an unreasonable time period to pay a ticket, or to get a marriage license, or passport. I will make sure there is prompt, quick and competent service rendered to the public at all times.
4. In what ways should a county clerk support the county commission? The county clerk serves a key role to the county commissioners. By state law, the county clerk is designated as the clerk of the board of county commissioners. County clerks must maintain excellent records of the commissioners in order to maintain the integrity of their votes and discussions had before them. This means the county clerk records proceedings of the board of commissioners, publishes and posts notices of meetings per Idaho code, prepares minutes, records votes and preserves minutes in case questions arise as to how decisions were made. It is critical the commissioners have current and readable information before them at all times which will allow them to make important decisions.
5. In what ways will you work to support other local government entities such as other county departments, school districts and city agencies? Clerks are responsible to draw warrants, examine and settle debts to the county, keep accounts current with the treasurer, and issue an annual financial statement of the county. It is important that elections are run smoothly, and our fellow government entities’ levies are accurate and ensure they timely receive their monies. Open, honest communication between government entities and the public are also vitally important to keeping positive relationships. My personal agenda is to cheerfully serve the public, establish a good work environment, keep communication lines open and encourage other county employees to do the same to build understanding and trust.
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