VITAL POLICY – Elections and the High Cost of Citizen Apathy

An Exploration of Voter Responsibility, Political Debate, and the Consequences of Elections in Jefferson County

Qualifications for Office

The “good ole girl” you knew in high school, or the “good ole boy” you go to church with may not be the best candidate to manage a $110 million-dollar county budget, or a $77 million-dollar annual school budget. It is up to you to be a smart voter and learn the qualifications, policies, and priorities of the candidates that you are considering.

Virtues Required

Listening skills, common sense, intelligence, responsiveness, connectivity to constituents, constitutional faithfulness, taxpayer empathy, being respectful of private property, and a willing to analyze multiple factors before making policy decisions or casting official votes are all virtues needed for public office. Additionally, the official must be effective to accomplish goals.

Knot-on-a-Log Factor

Stephen Covey’s groundbreaking book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (1989), explains that being proactive is the most important human trait in being effective. Proactive people actively seek solutions to problems, study facts, and propose solutions, skills that make excellent policy makers.

Reactive people, those that are less effective, wait on others to make proposals.

Citizen Responsibility and Involvement

Do not let fear dissuade you from political involvement; attend forums and debates; speak with candidates; read position statements; display candidate yard signs; make careful observations of incumbent office holders; attend public meetings of school board, county commission, city council, and regional planning boards. Meetings of public bodies are open to the public and most include a public comment period for citizens to exercise their constitutional right to instruct their representatives.

The government, local, state, and federal belongs to you. Elected officials are restrained by constitutional guardrails and are empowered only to act on your authority; and it is the responsibility of the voting public to choose wisely and instruct elected representatives as needed.

Jefferson County population is once again increasing, which brings up issues of planning, zoning, development, and taxation. With county services stressed by growth, it will take critical thinkers and qualified policy makers to efficiently run our local government and its agencies. Voters will make the ultimate decision as to how this plays out.

Impact of Local Debt

Too often voters base their decisions on frivolous factors like name recognition, family connections, or incumbency. This form of voter apathy, and disregard for policy, may explain why Jefferson County is over seventy-two million dollars ($72,166,502.00) in debt, excluding interest. Annual debt payments of more than seven million dollars per year ($7,858,573.00) prevent our local government from efficiently dealing with capital needs, infrastructure, and critically needed services. Careful analysis is needed.

Impact of National Debt

As of the date of this article, the national debt is approaching 31 trillion dollars, a factor that will fundamentally change the way local governments conduct business, especially as price inflation consumes a greater percentage of local government revenue. Consequently, it will take thoughtful long-range planning to manage our county finances.

Action vs. Inaction

Proposals are openly floating for Jefferson County to borrow more money, a lot more money. Conversely, no official action has been taken by the county government to seek the advice of a specialized bond attorney for the purpose of accelerating the retirement of existing county debt. The Debt Service Fund will see a financial windfall beginning in late 2023, a perfect opportunity to explore options to retire some of the county debt early.

Analytical thinkers are more capable of making policies that benefit all citizens. Emotional thinkers are more likely to make knee-jerk decisions that benefit special interests and are less likely to consider long-term strategy and sound financial principles.

Jefferson County voters will soon get to decide between competing approaches.

David Seal is a retired Jefferson County educator, recognized artist, local businessman, and current Chairman of the Jefferson County Republican Party. He has also served Jefferson County as a County Commissioner and is a lobbyist for the people on issues such as eminent domain, property rights, education, and broadband accessibility on the state level.