Inflation increased our costs by more than 7 percent in that period. Constant legislative changes in the tax system make long term planning impossible and budgeting more complicated with little local flexibility. Some legislation has actually created disincentives for counties to reduce taxes. County elected officials must be more actively involved in the legislative process and explaining county budgeting and financing to legislators and the public. We need a fair property tax system that is not constantly under construction.
Growth management continues to be an important issue.
Jefferson County's population grew by over 30 percent since 1993. Studies demonstrate that residential growth does not provide in taxes what it requires in services yet puts more demands on our infrastructure. At the same time, people fear the loss of the rural nature and desirable characteristics of the area. My strategy is to provide the community with good planning tools. We have used visioning processes, surveys and public meetings to help discern and respond to local values and conservation easements, zoning, voluntary mitigation payments and other strategies to soften the impacts of rapid growth.