ELECTIONS 2024: This is where I stand on key issues (WANDA GRONE)

Wanda Grone (R-Langley), who’s running for Island County Commissioner, District 1, sent out this announcement to supporters on Thu., July 25, 2024.

Dear Neighbors, 

The primary election is only a couple weeks away, and as voters we must make the tough decisions. 

While government at all levels affects us, Island County government impacts your daily life the most. The county government makes decisions on public safety, growth and community planning, your local roads, and so much more. They should be good stewards of your taxpayer dollars.  

As your next County Commissioner in District 1, I will keep your best interests in mind when making decisions, enacting policies, and stewarding public monies, just as I did when I was your Island County Treasurer.

This is where I stand on key issues in Island County: 

Financial Accountability & Transparency:

• Analyze government programs for adherence to policies, achievement of success and goals, and compare costs of providing them with the benefits received. This is currently not being done.
• Post reports of this analysis on the website to inform taxpayers how funds were spent.  I did this as your County Treasurer to show cost savings and comparisons to local and State benchmarks.
• Properly perform fiduciary duties on the Boards of related entities – monitor the finances at Island Transit (again, not being done – did you see what happened there?), and fill vacant Commission and Board seats with qualified and diversified candidates who represent the view of the population, not personal friends.

Growth and Community Planning:

• Better communication, cooperation, and coordination with municipal areas having the ability for development under the State’s Growth Management Act so that cohesive plans can be adopted.  Expertise and financial resources should be shared between County and its municipalities.
• Look at surplus public properties with existing infrastructure (sewer and water systems) that can be utilized for multi-family infill locations.  Area businesses need living facilities for their employees – otherwise the amenities we need in our life (stores, restaurants, gas stations, utility providers, banks, etc.) are not sustainable under current circumstances.  Outspoken groups who do not want change are preventing the initial steps towards infill and medium-income housing availability.  The time for progress in planning housing is NOW.
• Initiate and strengthen public/private partnerships to build infrastructure in non-municipal areas allowed to have growth.  Sewer and water systems are needed to support housing.  The County will have to initiate efforts to building these systems now so that housing can occur in coming years.  Those who want to live outside of Oak Harbor for retirement, employment housing, or for commuting to the mainland need alternative housing choices.  Let’s get started on this planning.

Better Functioning Internal Systems:

• Despite 40% growth in county staffing from 2011 to now, processes remain dysfunctional in many ways.  Systems and policies pertaining to hiring processes and spending policies are ignored, and instead of acquiring and training for technology that could reduce staffing needs, more positions are created and people hired.  This is expensive and inefficient.
• Employee turnover in the Planning department was 50% the past year.  Many departments constantly have open positions due to turnover.  Fix union contracts and the pay scale for entry-level positions so that there is an incentive for new employees to stay.  Flexible training and benefit choice options are needed, along with incorporated career steps and advancement paths.  Frustration exists in all departments – I fixed this as your County Treasurer and can do it as your County Commissioner.
• Fixing these systems will result in the ability of the Board to make better decisions from work and financial perspectives.  Governments run on money and structure and Island County does not have effective systems for monitoring either one.  

My education and career experience will enable me to positively serve you, not only to represent South and Central Whidbey Island, but the entire County – just as I did for 8 years as Island County Treasurer. I stay well-informed by connecting with our community, talking to businesses, and observing Commissioners and Councils here and in other Washington counties.  We can learn from counterparts in other counties to see what works and what doesn’t when it comes to systems and processes – we don’t have to recreate the wheel! 

Elect a candidate with financial expertise and background that no other member of the Board has ever had.  I hear that you want change – vote for me as your next Island County Commissioner and let’s make it happen.  

Ballots have arrived – vote by August 6th. Find a ballot drop box by clicking here – or drop it in your mailbox before August 6th to ensure it’s postmarked in time. 

I appreciate your support and can’t wait to see you in the general. 

Thank You, 

Wanda Grone

Candidate for Commissioner, District #1

www.wandagrone.com

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