Aaron Swisher on the issues facing Ada County
The Basics:
The decisions made by our county government affect everyday life more than people realize. My focus is on having the County Commission make forward-thinking decisions that will improve the lives of Ada County residents – today and in the future.
Planning for Growth, Not Reacting to It
County Commissioners must be able to envision the future and steer growth and development in ways that will make life livable in our cities and county for future generations. If they don’t, city governments are stuck fixing problems that could have been avoided through thoughtful planning. If done right, the whole process will use taxpayer dollars more efficiently and create fewer headaches locally.
Housing Affordability and Traffic Congestion
Ada County’s growth has brought opportunity, but it has also been managed in ways that made housing unaffordable and created gridlock. Teachers, first responders, healthcare workers, and young families should be able to afford to live in the communities they serve. Unfortunately for them, this is becoming more difficult. And for those who can stay, getting around is becoming more and more stressful. We can ensure that future generations aren’t forced to leave by directing development in ways that ensure we’ll have housing options at various price points in the future. This same forward-thinking approach can also help us reduce the stress of getting “from point A to point B.”
I’ll ensure that as new communities develop, there will be a mix of housing options – at various price points in every area of the county. I’ll support policies that increase housing supply, streamline responsible development, and encourage a wider mix of housing options. And I’ll support public transportation options that are effective, but efficient. The goal is simple: make sure Ada County remains a livable place where people can start families, build careers, and stay for the long term.
Managing the Cost of Growth to Ada County Residents
Growth is coming to Ada County whether we plan for it or not. But having a well thought out master plan and appropriate zoning codes can help us keep infrastructure costs as low as possible moving forward. I support making new development pay its fair share for the infrastructure it requires, reviewing zone laws to make sure they match the long-term needs of the county and its cities, and ensure that development happens in a way that helps limit future infrastructure costs.
Commissioners need to make sure that the taxes of Ada County residents are used wisely, and that county taxpayers are represented against others’ interests. In some cases, this may mean spending money – taking care of yearly maintenance that will save county residents in the long-run, as an example – instead of saving it in an attempt to look fiscally responsible. You can be sure that I’ll spend money based upon what makes sense, not to be beholden to some over-stretched political ideology. And I’ll make sacrifices before I ever ask Ada County taxpayers to make them.
Protecting Ada County’s Tax Dollars
Holding the Line on Commissioner Pay Raises
Public service should be about serving the public – not enriching elected officials. In 2021, the Ada County Commission approved a 3.7% pay raise for themselves, as recommended by county staff. But Aaron’s opponent argued that Commissioners should get an 8% pay raise! Fortunately, other Commissioners held the line. Still, Commissioner pay has increased by almost 5% per year over the last four years! Public officials deserve fair compensation, but elected leaders should hold themselves to the same financial discipline they expect from taxpayers. I support freezing Commissioner pay in the near-term and directing any potential pay increases to the salaries of our sheriff’s deputies, EMTs, and county jail employees.
Ensuring that the County is Compensated Properly for Housing State Inmates
Ada County houses inmates for the state of Idaho, and the state compensates Ada residents for that service. But the state pays roughly half of what it costs the county to provide that service. Ada County taxpayers pick up the balance. If the state has money for tax cuts, then Ada County taxpayers shouldn’t have to subsidize the state inmate population. I support forcing the state to fully compensate Ada County for the use of our jail.
Protecting Ada County’s Health and Safety
It’s the responsibility of the Board of County Commissioners to help protect the health of citizens in Ada County and southwest Idaho. Like many issues in the county, this shouldn’t come down to political affiliation, it should be based upon best practice. I can guarantee you that I’ll never risk your health or tax dollars just to make a political point.
Public Health
Having politicians or doctors who don’t rely on peer-reviewed science on the Board of Health for the Central District Health Department creates a liability for county taxpayers. We need Commissioners who will appoint professionals, not political allies. I support appointing only fully licensed and vetted medical professionals to the Central District Board of Health.
Rat Control
The longer we wait to act, the worse Ada County’s rat problem will be and the tougher it will be to contain. With pest abatement districts already established for certain species, the county is well suited to address our new rat problem. While the state is dragging its feet to address the issue or even declare rats as a nuisance (so that counties could tackle the problem), I’ll work to find ways to get the problem under control.
Expanding and Modernizing the County Jail
Having an over-crowded jail with antiquated technology creates another potential liability for Ada County taxpayers. I support making incremental improvements that the county can afford while finding a larger funding source for the broader expansion.