Survey and Interview Responses

Why are you running for this office?

I feel Meridian is the best city in the state in which to live, work, and raise a family. I want to keep “Moving Meridian Forward” and believe I have the experience to make a difference in my community.

What are your qualifications?

As senior staff to elected officials, I bring a local, state, and national perspective to the issues facing the City of Meridian.

If elected, what are your goals?

Maintaining public safety is key to the quality of life we enjoy in Meridian. I share the Mayor’s vision of Meridian becoming the healthcare epicenter of Idaho, and with our university, medical school, and hospital partners, I have the relationships to help make that happen.

What experience do you have serving on boards, commissions, non-profits, etc. where you have been of service to others?

I currently serve as the President/CEO of the Idaho Hospital Association – a non-profit entity. I also serve on the Board of the Idaho Regional Optical Network, which provides reliable broadband connectivity to universities, the Idaho National Laboratory, hospitals and other non-profit entities. I always answer the call to assist, and currently serve on the Idaho Legislature’s Undergraduate Medical Education Working Group and other advisory committees.

Do you consider yourself fiscally conservative?

Yes. I served two years as the State Budget Director for Idaho, and balanced the budget while meeting our Constitutional obligations.

Do you consider yourself socially conservative?

Yes. I am a lifelong Christian, and adhere to those values.

What is the most pressing issue facing Meridian right now and how would you address it?

Maintaining our quality of life is our top priority. Others will say the critical issue is growth or transportation but if we keep Meridian’s quality of life as our priority, then we will make the right decisions. If we address that and maintain that and continue to move Meridian forward, the other things will fall into place. People move here because it’s a great place to live and raise a family as it is safe and where families can prosper.

How do you balance long-term development and growth with maintaining the character and history of our city?

I strongly support property rights. As our city continues to grow, we need to balance our zoning ordinances, codes, and comprehensive plans with new developments. Our existing regulations provide property owners with clear parameters at the time of purchase. Developers also need a reasonable expectation that their plans, aligned with our zoning and code, can be realized. We aim to assure our community that our vision will be implemented by developers moving forward. The city’s website features a map illustrating Meridian’s comprehensive plan.

How does the current focus on apartments instead of small starter homes apply to affordable housing, given that apartments raise rent yearly and starter homes are generally purchased with a 30 year mortgage? Also speak to the increased costs to public services like police and fire that are higher for apartments than homes?

As a council member for just over a year, I’ve observed a notable shift in developers’ preferences regarding density, with some now requesting reductions. Our priority is to ensure that each project is approved in the right location at the right time.

Much of the planning for current developments, particularly the influx of apartments, occurred before I joined the council in May 2024. However, the vision for projects like the 10-mile development—a blend of apartments, businesses, and freeway access—has largely materialized as intended. We may have over-prioritized apartments, as evidenced by a decline in requests over the past year and a recent disapproval at Black Cat and Chinden. Developers are realizing that people want homes and the market is now moving in that direction.

What strategies would you implement to attract new businesses, support small businesses, and create more jobs in the city?

Meridian possesses a strong foundation, with the current mayor and council actively working to make it a desirable place to live and work. This vision aligns with recent studies indicating that residents prefer not to commute to Boise daily. We have excellent resources at our disposal to achieve this goal. For instance, I propose developing Meridian into a healthcare hub, including research facilities. With institutions like Idaho State University, St. Luke’s, and the proposed St. Al’s on Ten Mile and Highway 16, this and similar industries would create well-paying jobs

With Federal grant funding running out, the City of Meridian is proposing a levy to help fund public safety. Do you support the levy?

I support the levy for several key reasons. When the grant for our firefighters was initially secured, prior to my joining the council, it was understood that it would eventually expire, requiring us to make a decision about retaining those positions. The Council has made it clear that we intend to keep our firefighters.

Last year, due to the impact of HB 389, we were forced to make difficult cuts, reducing the base budget by a million dollars. This levy is essential for retaining our firefighters, increasing police wages, and bringing our prosecutors in-house. It’s crucial that we respect our police force. We’ve observed that Boise’s approach to prosecuting laws doesn’t align with Meridian’s desired outcomes, and bringing prosecutors in-house will allow us to provide clear direction

What specific steps will you take to encourage more community involvement in city planning and decision-making and increase accessibility to your constituents?

Engaging the community for input is a significant challenge due to busy schedules and limited local media coverage. While we currently use our website, Facebook, public notices, and direct communication like emails and postcards, these methods haven’t always been effective. For instance, a town hall last November, despite broad communication efforts, only attracted two attendees. We need to improve how we disseminate opportunities for community involvement, particularly for families we hope to engage.

How do you plan to ensure that our city’s budget is managed responsibly, especially in light of economic uncertainties including the economic uncertainties of your constituents?

Meridian’s growth is expected to continue, though at a slower pace than in recent years. While impact fees and other measures are in place to help fund this expansion, I believe that growth should be self-sustaining. Legislation, specifically HB 389, has unfortunately hindered our ability to finance this growth effectively.

Should the proposed levy not pass, we will face difficult decisions. Meridian, along with other communities, will be compelled to accept a 3% annual increase until we can find a stable solution to meet future demands. We have a proven history of responsible budget management.

What has the City Council done right and what fell short during the last 2 years?

Our council, on which I’ve served for nearly 18 months, excels at fostering open dialogue. Each member is encouraged to share their views, and we maintain a collegial atmosphere even when disagreements arise, with members free to vote their conscience. It’s a privilege to work with such a collaborative group.

However, we need to improve the clarity of our motion verbiage. Our goal is to ensure clear expectations and precise articulation of approved items and their implementation. A past experience with an approved development highlighted this need; a lack of clarity in the original motion led to misunderstandings during implementation. This served as a valuable lesson, emphasizing the importance of clear motions and expectations for all of us.