Three vie for Clark County Council chair

Whomever voters pick to be Clark County Council chair will have some big challenges ahead that include budget shortfalls, a housing shortage, homelessness, growth planning, charter implementation and others.

In the race, incumbent Chair Marc Boldt, an independent, is facing challenges from Republican Clark County Councilor Eileen Quiring and political newcomer Eric Holt, a Democrat. Christy Stanley, a Democrat, has suspended her campaign and endorsed Holt.

In advance of the Aug. 7 primary (the top two candidates will square off in November), The Columbian sent the candidates a questionnaire asking where they stand on the issues. Below are their responses, which have been edited for clarity and brevity. Their complete responses can be found at columbian.com.

The Clark County Council chair has the same voting power as the four other members of the council. What power does the Clark County Council chair position really have, and how do you intend to use it?

Marc Boldt (I): In some ways, the chair has less power. You only have a personal opinion until the vote. After that, you speak for the council regardless of your vote. The job of this position, if done correctly, is to serve all the council as well as the other electeds.

Eric Holt (D): As chair, I will work with the council to set a vision and mission, create regular meeting agendas and hold the meetings in accordance of the charter requirements and work with the state and local jurisdictions to form a more cohesive and cooperative operation.

Eileen Quiring (R): As the spokesperson for the county, it is important that we have a chair that can articulate our priorities and encourage an agenda that places citizens at the front of the line. The chair can be a catalyst for policies that encourage job creators and that meet the needs of our community without adding unwarranted burdens onto the citizens.

What is the single biggest challenge facing the county?

Boldt: The remodel of our jail is the most important issue.

Holt: Lack of effective leadership. This in turn leads to a failure in the county’s ability to address the truly pressing issues.

Quiring: We must have land use policies that do not contribute to the high cost of housing. And we have to plan for adequate infrastructure to accommodate that growth.

Clark County is experiencing a structural deficit where revenues outpace expenditures. This is happening at a time when the county is experiencing rapid growth and an increased demand for services. What are your specific plans to address the situation?

Boldt: First, there are only a few counties in the state with stable budgets. With that said, the most important issue is a balanced budget with enough reserves for tough times. The state legislature must start funding items mandated by the laws they have passed such as growth management, indigent defense and more.

Holt: We are facing a structural deficit purely due to many years of poor leadership on the Clark County Commission and later the Clark County Council. We need to allow the regular 1 percent increase (in the property tax levy) allowed by the voters and lift the moratorium on cannabis sales in unincorporated Clark County.

Quiring: The “structural deficit” is said to be the sales tax leakage when Washington residents shop in Oregon. This is certainly not something new. We must take a long-term approach by carefully prioritizing spending. Additionally, we should genuinely listen to the priorities of our citizens.

Please explain your party affiliation (or lack of affiliation) and what your political philosophy means for how you would approach local government.

Boldt: The purpose of county government is to implement the will of the state and the federal government. Political parties only hurt that outcome.

Holt: Taxes should be increased by the vote of the people or where designated by the Washington state constitution. Fee increases should be increased in accordance with inflation and limited to the cost of living increase for that particular area.

Quiring: In the case of a genuine emergency, it could be appropriate to raise taxes or fees, however that should be a last resort. Overspending or poor planning is not a good reason.

If you could make one change to the state’s Growth Management Act, which requires Clark County to plan for future growth, what would it be?

Boldt: To limit the control of the Growth Management Hearings Board and make it easier to go straight to court for a final outcome saving time for everyone.

Holt: It would definitely be the mineral resource land designation via overlays. This essentially allows the Department of Natural Resources or property owners with a mining resource land designation to expand their land via overlays onto private property owner’s lands.

Quiring: I would allow for a more realistic division of lands both by expanding the urban growth boundary and in the rural areas, as well. GMA in Washington state and other similar laws throughout the nation have caused a “false scarcity of land” thereby causing housing prices to skyrocket.

What changes would you make to the Clark County home rule charter, if any?

Boldt: I will wait for the citizens review committee to come up with their recommendations in the next two years.

Holt: First, we need to see what options and solutions can be exploited before incarceration, e.g., treatment, mental health services, basic living services, behavioral treatment services. Reducing sentencing on nonviolent drug related and petty crimes. Then, after reducing our incarceration levels, we continue the great work we have been doing on re-entry to society after time has been served and focus on reducing recidivism. Plans to build a new facility should be a last resort.

Quiring: The overcrowding problem in our jail and the eventual solution to either increase space or build a new facility will ultimately be decided by the citizens if/when they are given an opportunity to vote whether they want a bond issue for this or not.

Clark County is experiencing a housing shortage and an increase in homelessness. What can the county do to address the situation?

Boldt: The county is the lead agency for homelessness. We must continue to work along side of the Council for the Homeless to provide long-term solutions. For housing needs, the county must start this year working on the foundation for a new growth plan for a 20-year supply of land required by law. Without it, there is an artificial demand, and land prices rise quickly.

Holt: Yes. Revenue could be put toward the looming budget shortfall, drug and alcohol treatment and enforcement, homelessness, and improving services to the citizens of Clark County.

Quiring: I am not in favor of lifting the ban in the unincorporated area of Clark County. Any extra revenue generated would have to be funneled back into law enforcement and social services.