Adams County Commissioner candidate answers questions about objectives
RITZVILLE — Incumbent Adams County Commissioner Miguel "Mike" Garza is being challenged for his position by Eleanor Brodahl, Othello. Both candidates were sent identical questions about their ideas and positions.
Garza's answers are below; Brodahl did not reply.
What prompted you to run for commissioner?
Garza: A spirit of commitment to service. I have always had a yearning to give back and serve the community. As I pondered on a second term for commissioner, I have a feeling of wanting to complete several ongoing projects that were started in the last term as fuel to file once again. The county jail remodel, completion of broadband project, canal bridge expansion projects, amongst others. My goal is to be more involved with these county objectives. Honestly, this term has been one of studying, learning, and preparation to hone my skills for the future terms.
Adams County revenues are relatively low, which means there are sometimes some tough funding decisions. What guidelines should county commissioners use when evaluating county services?
Funding in and of itself is such a diverse topic; the mechanism of county funding has so many variables to learn. Ultimately, revenues and expenditures dictate the formulas to funding. Depending on past revenues estimates for budgeting while knowing current expenditure levels make this a complex part of the job. Knowing our employees’ salaries and benefits are the highest line item in our budgets, and trying to the best of our abilities to make sure they are supported remains a struggle. We must make the customer service of our departments a priority.
A lot of what counties do is mandated by state law, but they do have some discretion. Within those mandates, can you give two or three examples of how you would change operations of the commissioners’ office?
Indigent defense: While the state claims to be helping, this is one of the largest line items they mandate. We continue to advocate through our county association for help or relief from state to date we haven’t been very successful.
Office of county coroner: We were mandated to form one last year. We were fortunate to find a good candidate who has been very proactive and done a great job establishing the office.
Different parts of Adams County have different interests, which sometimes clash; tension between Othello and county officials is an example. How should commissioners weigh those interests and balance them?
Collaboration is essential, and while no two entities will ever see eye to eye on everything, maintaining open lines of communication must remain at the forefront of individual or mutual decisions made on behalf of our citizens. Perhaps different leadership styles or different operational procedures hinder these efforts at times, but I strongly believe that if we keep the main goal or outcome as our focus, which are the citizens and the services we provide, we can maintain successful relationships viable. The county's objectives continue to lead our strategies, and our commitment to the services we provide as a county while maintaining these relationships. Teamwork!!!
What is the commission’s role in economic development?
One of the best ways is to be proactive with Boards and Associations that promote Adams County as a place to invest capital and create economic opportunity, thus increasing future tax revenues through job creation. We need to be open to allowing for economic growth, while trying to respect our agriculture infrastructure, which is a crucial component of Adams County. Our state government can be a great ally and foe in our efforts, so maintaining open lines of communication is also critical, to be able to qualify for funds to accomplish projects throughout the county.
What are three of the biggest challenges facing Adams County right now? What are your ideas for alleviating – not solving, but doing what’s possible to alleviate – those challenges?
Balancing the budget: Fiscal responsibility is crucial. We must continue to hold elected officials or departments with budgets, to adhere and run their office within them, understanding that there are some inevitable circumstances or situations that may arise outside of their control. Keeping amendments to their budgets at a minimum is a goal. We must continue to find ways to increase our revenues to keep pace with expenditures, or lower operating costs.
Jail remodel: While the dollars for the remodel have been appropriated, we have run into some delays in turning on these funds to proceed with the project. The myriads of obstacles hurled at the folks we have working on this are numerous, but we are getting close to being able to begin the project. We must continue trying to find state or federal dollars that will allow or afford the county to hire jailers. That must remain a focus to ensure safe and efficient running of the jail once remodel is completed.
Economic development, economic development, economic development.