CASPER, Wyo. — The primary election is Aug. 20, 2024. Absentee voting opened July 23. You can access more information on candidates, races and how to vote with Oil City News’s primary election guide here.
Two four-year seats are opening up on the Natrona County Commission. Commissioner Dave North is up for reelection. Chairman Steve Freel did not renew his candidacy. Paul Bertoglio, Terry Wingerter and Matt Keating have served on the board in the past.
The field as reported by the clerk’s office is exclusively Republican, and the top two vote-getting candidates are expected to claim the seats.
If you are a primary election candidate who was not contacted, please contact news@oilcity.news.
The questions and responses here were delivered by email. Commission candidates also participated in a forum covered by Oil City News.
1. What is your professional background, including any boards, commissions, or other civic posts? What did you learn about leadership from those experiences?
My professional background includes nearly a decade of law enforcement experience, several years as a district manager of an oil and gas service company, and most recently, an appointment to the role of a public works supervisor for the City of Mills. I hold a Master’s Degree in Applied Psychology and a Graduate Studies Certificate in Public Administration.
For the last several years, I have served as a technical committee member on the Casper Area Municipal Planning Organization, and recently, I was voted in as the chairman of the Regional Wastewater Oversight Committee. Regarding leadership, specifically, I also attended and graduated from Northwest University’s College of Police Staff and Command. I learned that leadership requires more than conviction; it requires a solid moral foundation and the courage to act ethically. As a commissioner, I aim to lead the county. I understand that the administration and operation of the county trump personal crusades and encompasses more than a small number of talking points.
2. What is your understanding of the responsibility and authority of the county commission?
The BOCC is foremost charged with overseeing the county’s financial position, adopting a budget, and levying taxes. Serving as the county administrator, the BOCC is further responsible for maintaining and improving its infrastructure and properties, promoting economic development, and working with other government units to ensure county interests are appropriately considered. The BOCC’s authority extends to matters of land use, zoning, and policy-making, wherein the commission acts upon issues relating to public health, public safety, and public service. All said, this authority is derived from the will of the electorate, and the BOCC has the responsibility to act in accordance with the public trust.
3. Would you support a county-administered property tax relief program, as statute allows?
In short, yes, I would support a county-administered tax relief program, but only under budgetary conditions that would facilitate a responsible reduction of the general fund. This said government programs come with a cost, and the services provided bear differing levels of significance to individuals within the community. Thus, in the context of relief, it is critical to avoid the problem of robbing Peter to pay Paul.
4. Do you think residential development will continue in unincorporated areas, and what challenges does that pose?
In recent years, Natrona County has experienced appreciable population growth, which I believe is poised to continue with the expansion of local amenities and diversification in employment opportunities. The development of unincorporated areas, which is likely to continue as driven by a desire for rural living, lower land costs, and fewer regulations, is both beneficial and challenging to the county as a whole.
In terms of benefits, the county stands to experience economic growth and diversification, increased tax revenues, and the ability to enhance community services. On the other hand, the challenges include potential strains on infrastructure, environmental degradation, the realities of community fragmentation, and the possibility of over-development. County zoning and land use plans are key in this context, and this is why zoning regulations must be revisited on a regular basis.
5. What are some county government issues that you think are overlooked?
In Natrona County, like elsewhere, infrastructure and building maintenance are frequently overlooked despite the need to invest continually to ensure functionality and safety. I am an advocate for responsible tax use in that the proper allocation of funds today can serve to offset costs tomorrow. Like other communities, mental health and substance abuse continue to impact the county as a whole. It’s important to examine both issues and work with our supporting government units to determine an appropriate path forward. Building on the former, I believe that strong communities seek to develop in a strategic manner that accounts for our past, present, and future. Development in this context should include ensuring county departments and their personnel are afforded meaningful input and career growth opportunities.
6. What are some issues the BOCC has tackled in the last few years that of particular interest to you?
One key issue handled by the BOCC concerns the Delta Airlines Minimum Revenue Guarantee (MRG), as it represents the need to balance fiscal responsibility with the need to remain economically appealing. Ultimately, the MRG was discontinued for valid and defendable reasons, including limited regional support, increasing costs, and the anticipation of diminishing returns.
A second issue addressed by the BOCC relates to the passage of the 2022 zoning resolution, which sought to modernize regulations and remove controversial provisions. This update, which succeeds in addressing time-relevant development needs, similarly reduced ill-placed provisions of the 2000 zoning resolution, although today and upon passage, the current version is steeped in controversy.
All in all, as a candidate, I am most interested in the administration and operation of the county, which includes constructing an efficient budget and responsibly developing the county’s assets, such as its employees, the Library, Bear Trap Meadow, and the Health Department.
7. Is there anything else you’d like the voters to know?
I aim to be your commissioner and to address your concerns. I refuse to be a single-issue candidate and reject using the commission as a platform to advocate for personal reasons or positions. I will utilize the full force of my education and experience to better Natrona County and ensure that it remains the special place we all know it to be. To be succinct, this race is important. I will bring real leadership and real knowledge to the Natrona County Commission. I would appreciate your vote because together, we can form a more perfect Natrona County, one that holds true to the blessing of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
