Candidate Questionnaire: Gallatin County Commissioner

Jennifer Boyer

(D) — County Commissioner

Joe Flynn

(R) — County Commissioner

Editor's Note: This questionnaire originally contained a list that was copied incorrectly as a paragraph in question two. The list has been corrected. 

What would you identify as the most pressing issue facing Gallatin County? What steps would you take as commissioner to address it?

Boyer: Our rapidly growing county faces pressing issues that are intertwined and contributing to the anxiety many are feeling. Obviously housing and affordability are top of mind and a high priority. Underlying how we address growth is how we are going to manage water in a changing climate.

This is the arid West, where water availability is finite and forecasts indicate increasing drought conditions and extreme weather events. Our water supply is allocated through water rights, and the Gallatin Watershed has already allocated every drop of legal water.

If we are going to be successful ensuring that fish stay wet, crops are watered and the water that flows from our taps is clean, we must build a coordinated water management strategy that includes protecting water quality. Protecting and managing our watershed will support our agricultural economy, our outdoor recreation industry, and businesses choosing to locate here for the outdoors and our quality of life.

Managing our watershed to protect water quality also ensures that our floodplains and wetlands continue to provide critical ecological functions like attenuating flood waters, reducing the damage and risk of floods. These areas also provide critical fish and wildlife habitat therefore supporting healthy populations that we value.

Flynn: Availability and use of water over the next 20 years and going forward to drink, irrigate, domestic and industrial use. Our ability to keep the rivers and streams of Montana clean for fish and aquatic life to thrive and multiply for recreational use.

We are currently witnessing in real time what is happening in the Southwestern US due to poor planning water usage. In Gallatin, we need to prepare and plan now for the future anticipated growth.

Currently, the Big Sky Water & Sewer District is a good example of using today’s technology to stay abreast of the exploding growth. There is a $61 million dollar approved project to double the size of the water treatment capture facility. Two things are achieved; water capture for treatment and reuse to irrigate golf courses for the Spring and Summer seasons. Snow making for the ski slopes in the Winter season. Secondly, they create blocks of treated fertilizer for ranchers & farmers. None of the captured waste water is released into the Gallatin River.

Other water capture technologies and infrastructure are becoming available.

We need to be on the forefront of all things – WATER.

What action would you support as a commissioner to mitigate the impact of growth on housing affordability and natural resources in Gallatin County?

Boyer: Gallatin County is one of the fastest growing counties in Montana and nationally. This growth impacts our housing availability, affordability and the pattern of development in our county. There are multiple approaches we can work on to create attainable housing and protect the incredible landscape we are part of.

To address housing, Gallatin County’s communities need to work together to explore the following strategies:

•build partnerships with employers, developers and nonprofits to increase housing stock

•maintain affordable rents with incentives to rent to a local

•work with lending institutions and private partners to create affordable loans to support down payments

•create a Regional Housing Council that brings partners together to coordinate efforts across the county

•work with our state legislature to address property tax burden that can force landlords to increase rent and homeowners on a fixed income to sell

It is critical that we balance how our growth impacts our natural environment. Creating and implementing a Future Land Use Map will provide greater predictability on where future development is best served by transportation networks and infrastructure like water and sewer, as well as, those areas that are less appropriate including high risk locations for flood and fire.

Flynn: A. On housing affordability, we need to review the approval process for develops. In my discussions with multiple developers, it is the amount of time it takes to receive final approval. This long process effects affordability as time is money. When you have to stop and restart a project, reassign work crews it increases the cost. A more efficient approval process on a guaranteed timeline will enable projects to come in at or under budget.

B. The corporate purchasing of available housing by national hedge funds within established communities for Airbnb short-term rentals needs to be discussed going forward. It is taking long term rentals and available homes out of the real estate market for working Montanans.

C. Additionally, I would look into the private sector to advance financial capability for first-time home buyers for home ownership. Discuss with banks 30, 35 & 40 year mortgage rates extended to these first-time buyers – living in the home with a five to ten year state & county tax credit.

I would favor market solutions for individuals with “skin” in the game. Montana has a billion dollars in excess tax revenues created by business growth, these businesses need individuals and families to be able to live and work in Montana.

Let’s work together!

What area of public infrastructure in Gallatin County needs the greatest support? How should Gallatin County Commissioners deliver that support?

Boyer: Safe transportation systems are critically important. Sadly, in the past few weeks two cyclists were fatally hit by cars. Improving our transportation network is critically important for personal safety, and sustainability.

Our transportation network needs to include safe routes for walking, biking, as well as, e-bikes and scooters. As we modernize our transportation network we must plan to expand our Streamline bus service. Incorporating these transportation elements into the design and network of our community will offer greater choices for people to commute, shop and recreate. With safe, convenient choices we can reduce traffic and decrease our reliance on cars. Walking, biking and bussing reduces fossil fuel emissions and is less expensive than filling up your gas tank.

Our transportation system - roads, trails, and commuter pathways, needs to be coordinated so that towns and the county are integrating their networks in a safe and seamless manner. The county commission will be a participant in developing a regional approach to transportation as required by our federal funders in the coming year.

Along with our cities, major employers, MSU and nonprofits, Gallatin County can support Streamline and our transportation network through our development requirements and infrastructure maintenance priorities.

Flynn: Well, I have already discussed water issues and there can be needed infrastructure for water going forward.

Next, there is transportation. We have employee housing being built in Gallatin Gateway for work in Big Sky, MT. The canyon highway is the real avenue we must coordinate bus transportation to and from the valley floor. County government and private industry needs to coordinate, communicate and work together to achieve these needed efficiencies. Clearly defining scheduling needs both with timing, number of employees and to have flexibility as a major component will go a long way to making this a success.

In Bozeman, we need to have efficient bus service from MSU campus to town, so students can easily travel allowing less stress on downtown parking. Once again, communication within all parties can make this transportation issue a success.

Additionally, our roads need to be safe for school children and bicyclists. Due to the increase of vehicles, I would make it a priority to have a police presence at work start and end of day.

Why should MSU students, faculty, and staff vote for you?

Boyer: County government plays a vital role in determining how we manage rapid growth and change—in how the rising housing costs, public safety, traffic and other community strains will impact your daily lives.

I have been listening. I hear the desire for a future that has attainable housing, quality education and strong community connections in a healthy landscape with agriculture, recreation and wildlife. I have the practical experience to navigate what’s before us.

For 25 years, I’ve served Montanans of all backgrounds, helping to craft solutions to highly charged topics of drought, community development and transportation. My skills in public engagement, building partnerships, crafting policy, and facilitating collaboration, often under pressure, are needed on our commission to address today’s issues.

I’m running for County Commission because I care about this place. This is where my husband and I chose to raise our son, build our careers, and run our farm. I learned early the value of service and discipline under pressure as the daughter of a country veterinarian—regularly called into the clinic to help my father with critical operations on beloved pets. I am prepared to serve our community and address community issues with compassion and steadfast determination.

Flynn: This is a great question! I believe both my opponent and myself are qualified for the job of County Commissioner. However, I believe we will seek finding solutions to county issues differently, i.e., I will lean heavily on my private enterprise business experience versus my opponent’s government experience.

I have been in the private industry sector my whole career and successful in each of the industries I worked in: Home Improvement, Resort Hospitality, Insurance and Software & Technology. I have held job titles of National Director, Senior VP, CEO-President and current Field Manager at Kelley Connect in Bozeman.

I have managed 20-30 employees to as many as 300 employees in these rolls. I know what it is to make a payroll every Friday, review and adjust budgets to keep business on a successful path. In these rolls, I had to interact with banks for finances and state attorney generals for regulations and approvals.

My business experience will bring a fresh set of eyes into the issues and challenges effecting Gallatin County to achieve successful solutions. I will work hard, smart and listen to the whole community if elected.

I reach out for your support and your vote. My door will always be open.

Thank you,

Joe Flynn