Unlike some political offices, the position of County Commission is not dominated by partisan debate, but rather by differing approaches to problem solving. In other words, the political party that one belongs to is less important than the candidate's ability to work within the community to get things done.
The Commission form of government requires that two out of the three Commissioners must agree on each decision so the ability to find common ground, work through differences and create workable solutions is critical to success.
All levels of government must do everything possible to foster the creation and retention of good paying jobs. This does not mean using cash offers to steal businesses from other area or providing some sort of corporate welfare. It means working everyday to streamline permitting processes, to keep taxes low on a long term basis and applying regulation carefully and only when needed. We can not afford to lose jobs because of inappropriate or outdated regulations not involving public health or safety. A community needs to welcome potential new employers and encourage existing employees to expand. We have made Cascade County business friendly and must continue to work to keep it that way.
My positions within the regional economic development organizations, my work to retain and strengthen both the Montana Air National Guard and Malmstrom AFB and my Chairmanship of the Montana Association of Counties' Community, Economic Development and Labor Committee are all examples of my efforts to retain and create new jobs for the citizens of Cascade County.
What is true is that privatization can in some cases be a good solution for the delivery of County services but in others it does not make sense.
A large portion of my job as your Commissioner is the fiscal management of the taxes you pay each year. It is my job to look for more cost effective ways to deliver the services you pay for and expect to receive. Accordingly, I look at all options including privatization but in most cases I have found that with some modification we can actually provide the services less expensively in house. I know this is likely to surprise advocates of privatization but in most cases thus far privatization has not been the best alternative.
Since taking office, the analysis of our operations has led to a number of reorganizations and combining of departments to reduce administrative costs. We have privatized the Solid Waste Division but have also brought most of ExpoPark operations back in house. In other words we are utilizing the private sector where it makes sense and working to improve in house operations in those areas best served by the public sector. In somes areas such as Public Works, Adult Detention and the ExpoPark, we utilize a blending of both in house operations and private contractors.
The process of analyzing and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of our operations is never ending and I my opinion all options including privatization must be considered. I am neither an opponent nor a proponent of privatization, I am an advocate for whatever works the best for our citizens.
Secondarily, county government is charged with a variety of other important functions such as suppression of weeds and mosquitoes, land use planning, operation of Justice Court as well as the administration of a variety of services for our older citizens. Lastly, county government is responsible for a wide array of paperwork functions that, although far from glamorous, are essential all the same.
All offices of government however must be
accountable for the tax dollars that are spent regardless of what
services it provides. No part of local government nor any
employee or elected official is exempt from the requirement of being a
good steward of the public trust and public funds. In Montana,
the role of setting and enforcing budgets for county government lies
with the Commission.
We are, for example, actively involved with the two levee districts here in Cascade County attempting to keep the levees from being decertified. Decertification would represent a drastic changing of the rules by the federal government and would cost the citizens who live behind the levies thousands of dollars annually.
We were able to assist the citizens of Black Eagle in their successful efforts to keep their post office from being closed last year.
We have partnered with the Sun Prairie Water and Sewer District to create a funding strategy to fund their needed water system upgrades.
We have worked successfully with the EPA and DEQ on cleanup efforts in the Hughsville mining district area and have advocated on behalf of the citizens of Black Eagle for cleanup of their community by EPA.
We are partnered with Great Falls Development and the City of Great Falls in efforts to create a rail based industrial area to create new jobs as well as working regional development agencies to create jobs in the counties surrounding Cascade County.
We are often called
on to testify on behalf of our citizens and to assist in the crafting
of legislation before the Montana legislature. Occasionally we
have been called to testify before the US Congress or to
participate in a national meeting of a Federal agency . All
of these items are a part of the advocacy role filled by the Cascade
County Commission and I am proud to have the opportunity to serve you
in this capacity.
 | Paid by Briggs for County Commission, 5900 Western Drive, Great Falls MT 59404 | |
| Home | Meet Joe | Events | Issues | Campaign News | Endorsements | Get Involved | Feedback |