Sue Windels answers PLAN Jeffco questions

What do you intend to achieve if you are elected County Commissioner?

I have ten years of experience as a Colorado State Legislator. I will bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, contacts, and working relationships with me as a newly elected County Commissioner. I have served for many years on the Capital Development Committee travelling around the state to assess and address our infrastructure needs from buildings to bridges. I have experienced the tough challenges of balancing a budget where there are many competing needs. I intend to help bring Jeffco into a larger leadership position, especially in the renewable energy industry.

What general and specific changes would you pursue?

I would review the current priorities listed as Jefferson County’s goals to make sure they reflect what I’m hearing are important issues to Jeffco residents as I walk door-to-door each evening. Two obvious omissions to the current county government priorities are protecting open space and supporting our county libraries.

What do you think is the Commissioner’s role in dealing with climate change, energy conservation, renewable energy and water shortage issue? How would you carry out that role?

I believe the County Commissioners should lead by example. We must first make sure that all our county buildings are energy efficient, and then work to educate those who live in the county regarding energy-saving measures as well as water-saving measures they can adopt in their own lifestyle. With NREL (National Renewable Energy Lab) and Colorado School of Mines in Jeffco, county commissioners and leaders of our municipalities have an obvious opportunity to work collaboratively to make Jeffco a leader in our state and nation. I will pursue that goal.

What is your philosophy and position on land use and community plans and, specifically, how should community plans be factored into land use decisions?

I believe it is vital to have comprehensive long-range goals and planning, with the opportunity to review and revise as needed on an ongoing basis. Community input and plans should provide the basis for such master planning. Land use decisions should align with both the long-range and local community plans and, if for some reason, the decision does not, compelling justification for the variance should be provided.

Do you support or oppose privately owned toll roads in the county and do you think it is appropriate for foreign entities to own roads in the county?

I do not support privately owned toll roads, nor do I believe it is appropriate for foreign entities to own roads in our county. I would support a publicly funded toll road if voters approved such a project. I would also support public/private partnerships to address infrastructure needs.

What is your position on non-compete agreements relating to public roads?

I do not support non-compete agreements unless they are so narrowly written to say that an untolled road cannot be constructed parallel to the toll road. Improvements to existing roads must not be prohibited. It is interesting to note that most of the existing roads near proposed toll roads belong to the state, not the county, so such agreements would have to be entered into by the state, not the county commissioners.

What are your visions and goals for the Open Space Program and what changes, if any, would you work to implement? What relationship, if any, do you see between open land preservation and economic development in the county?

I am proud of the proactive measures Jeffco citizens have taken to preserve open space both with the sales tax initiative to provide a constant revenue stream and the foresight to approve the capacity to bond against that revenue to speed up the acquisition of high priority properties. Jeffco’s open space is a clear attraction for businesses, tourists, and retirees. Businesses locate where their employees want to live, tourists visit and spend their money where they want to play and retirees look for a good quality of life location, such as being near open space, to spend their retirement years and savings. Our abundant, accessible open space make Jeffco very attractive. Because the current revenue stream has been almost entirely bonded against (only about $14 million left to spend), future purchasing will clearly be difficult decisions. Regarding current open space, use issues will need to be addressed such as whether we need to designate specific areas for cyclists only and other areas for hikers only.

What is your assessment of the fiscal health of the County, now and in the foreseeable future? Do you propose any actions to be taken regarding the County’s fiscal situation?

I have looked at the budget and believe for the short term our county is in a reasonably good fiscal state. I’m concerned, however, about the future as about half of our budget revenue comes from property tax and with the downturn in the housing market and rising foreclosure rates, future revenue to the county will more than likely decline. It will probably be in our 2010-11 budget that we will feel the impact of our declining or stagnant 2008 property values. We clearly need to add more commercial property to our tax base as businesses bring in three times more property tax than does residential property. It will be a priority of mine to restore the mill levy reduction imposed upon our county libraries.

What are your views on cooperating with the cities and neighboring counties on county-wide economic development and open space preservation?

I believe it is essential that the county work with all municipalities in our county as well as with neighboring counties on economic development and open space preservation. I have found that the individual municipalities and the many advocacy organizations in Jeffco work too much in isolated silos with little communication and collaboration. I will work to break down those barriers so that everyone is working collaboratively together on common goals. Also, Jefferson County Commissioners need to be more active in DRCOG (Denver Regional Council of Governments) taking a greater leadership role.

If elected, how do you plan on communicating with the public? How do you view the public’s role in county government? Do you think there should be more opportunity fo public participation in county government and if so, how and what will you do to provide such opportunity?

I have always felt it is the responsibility of elected officials to reach out and facilitate the participation of the people in our system of government. That is why as a state legislator, I have done a weekly email broadcast during the legislative session as well written and published a newsletter, The Voters’ Voice, hand-delivered to the door of every household twice a year. I intend to continue the email broadcasts but realize Jeffco is too large for me to deliver my newsletter on foot to every household. I will, however, hold regular Town Meetings and I’ll work toward having regular Commissioner meetings broadcast on cable TV or at least live over the Internet. I also believe that any hearing on a controversial issue should be held in the evening so that working people have the opportunity to have a voice in the decision-making process.

What are your views of redevelopment and infill or development of currently undeveloped lands?

Redevelopment is a critical part of maintaining a vibrant, thriving economy. Infill is wise as it reduces sprawl. Owners of private vacant land have the right to develop their land, but only within the parameters set by state law, county codes and municipal ordinances. I believe that citizen advisory group community plans should be honored and that recommendations for open space acquisitions should have high priority.