05/18/2026
Here are the answers to the rest of the questions that were submitted during our Island Park open house. I appreciate everyone who took the time to ask thoughtful questions. Transparency is key! If you have any follow-ups, feel free to reach out.
1. Would you be in favor or against a moratorium on development, particularly large scale development until the comp plan and development code have been updated?
I would be in favor of a temporary moratorium. Until we have a clear, updated plan that reflects community priorities, it’s important we ensure development aligns with our long term goals, infrastructure capacity, and local input. This pause would give us the time to update those guiding documents thoughtfully.
2. Recently the county attorney denied a candidate from touring the jail. The Sheriff said anyone is allowed to tour the jail. If you were commissioner, how would you deal with an employee giving you false information?
I’d also emphasize documenting the incident in detail. That way, if it becomes a recurring issue, we have a record of the steps taken. Proper documentation ensures accountability and, if necessary, supports any future disciplinary actions, including termination, to protect the integrity of the office. I’d address it directly and professionally. First, I’d clarify the facts with all parties, ensuring we have accurate policies. Then, I’d ensure the employee understands expectations for honest communication and, if necessary, implement training or corrective steps to prevent it from happening again. Trust and transparency are key
3. What is your philosophy regarding continued development in Island Park?
If the infrastructure cannot support it, we simply can't grow anymore. The septic system in Island Park is at or near capacity, and that’s a critical factor. Any continued development must be contingent on updated infrastructure, and we need thoughtful planning that respects both the environment and the community. I’ll support growth only when infrastructure and local input align to ensure long-term sustainability.
4. Amazon Prime can put packages in customer’s garage, would you support people in the Caldera putting their trash cans in the garage and trash men retrieving out of garage?
At the core, we must respect private property rights. The county can't mandate a private business, like waste collection, to enter your garage. The Fourth Amendment protects against unwarranted intrusions, meaning no one especially a government entity, can dictate that type of access without consent. If a homeowners' association wants to arrange such a service privately, that’s a different story. But as county commissioner, I'd focus on ensuring that trash policies are effective, respectful of property rights, and bear aware.
5. When we pay taxes, we expect law enforcement and roads to be maintained. Roads are in horrible shape, how would you remedy this?
property tax only about $10 per $100,000 goes toward Road and Bridge. Meanwhile, redoing a road costs roughly $800,000 per mile. We simply don’t bring in enough to replace all the roads that need it. Most of our Road and Bridge funding comes from the state gas tax, but again, it’s not enough. I’ll be transparent about these numbers and push for creative solutions whether grants, partnerships, or prioritizing repairs so we can tackle the worst roads first.
6. Every couple years, property owners have to pay an extra assessment for EMS: Ambulance people and proper equipment. How would you better fund EMS?
When it comes to EMS funding, we need sustainable solutions. Instead of asking property owners to repeatedly cover the gap, I’d look at increasing specialized fees on visitors using specific services like rescue or equipment-heavy responses. Those fees could ensure that out-of-area usage helps fund the equipment and personnel we need, taking some burden off local taxpayers while ensuring our EMS stays well-equipped and ready.
7. 77% of the EMS calls go to the sand dunes, 23% go elsewhere, 4% to residents. How would you suggest tourists need to step it up and pay more EMS and law enforcement?
Since 77% of EMS calls go to the Sand Dunes and only 4% to residents, we need to ensure tourists are paying their fair share. While law enforcement funding is tax-based and ticket revenue is limited, EMS billing is where we can adjust. We should reevaluate our charges, especially in high-tourism areas. Let’s benchmark against similar destinations to ensure we’re competitive. By updating our out of county rates, we can better support EMS without relying so heavily on local taxpayers.
We’ve got between 100,000 and 150,000 visitors a year heading into the Egin Lakes Recreation Area. If we implemented a toll road on the road leading into Egin lakes (a County road) say $2.50 per axle, in and out with even conservative estimates, that could generate around $350,000 a year. Now, to make this happen, we’d need to confirm our legal authority often the state or BLM has a role. If it’s feasible, we’d engage the community, coordinate closely with BLM, and ensure the toll is structured fairly. Done right, it could provide much needed funds for road upkeep and EMS. Let’s explore this idea thoughtfully and see if it’s a viable path forward!
It’s not just EMS; we also need to talk about Search and Rescue. Every winter, out of county visitors making poor decisions lead to costly operations. Search and Rescue falls under the county sheriff, and while the Idaho Sheriffs Association does reimburse a small portion per call, it’s nowhere near enough to sustain operations. The fact is, Fremont County residents are footing most of this bill for both EMS and Search and Rescue. We need to work with our local legislators to update Idaho law, so out of county tourists contribute their fair share. The strain on our infrastructure, whether EMS or Search and Rescue, can’t keep falling solely on us. It’s time to fix the law and make the system more sustainable.
