Barrett Rothe
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Values & Motivation
Do you personally support or oppose the move to Home Rule? Why or why not?
Oppose. Home Rule is a waste of taxpayer money that will result in more lawsuits against the county for no gain. It is an initiative to entrench power and make headlines only.
Why do you want to serve on the Home Rule Charter Commission?
I believe Douglas County residents are more interested in having elected officials do their jobs and build bridges between different interests. The county commissioners who started the Home Rule initiative have other priorities; my goal is to represent the community members who want a functioning, non-controversial county.
What do you see as the most important values that should guide the charter-writing process?
I would like to help structure the charter in a way that enables consensus building and strong policy outcomes; a structure that does not incentivize partisanship or political ambitions.
Approach to Governance & Representation
How would you ensure that the charter reflects the needs of all Douglas County residents - not just those in power or politically aligned?
I would advocate for a five commissioner board, with at least three (if not all) commissioners elected by geographic district. I would also support making all county elections nonpartisan.
Checks and Balances
Should the County Commissioners have the power to appoint any or all elected positions such as Commissioner, Sheriff, Clerk, Assessor, Treasurer, Coroner, and/or Surveyor without a public vote as well as other boards such as library board, planning commission, water commission and others?
Generally no; I do not support the intention to consolidate power in a partisan commissioner board. I do think under some circumstances the appointment of coroner or assessor could be done, but not Sheriff, Clerk, or Treasurer. I do support appointment of planning/parks type commissions, and I support an independent Library Board.
Would you support or oppose charter provisions that limit the consolidation of power into the hands of a few officials?
I support limiting commissioner powers where advantageous to the community.
Resistance to Extremism
How would you respond if fellow commissioners proposed changes that would reduce public input, centralize control, or limit democratic participation?
Civil disobedience.
Community Engagement
What specific steps would you take to engage residents across the political spectrum, including those who may not trust this process?
We have an opportunity to actually hear public input at Home Rule Commission meetings and include that input in deliberations. I support moving to nonpartisan county elections so that partisan identity is less of a factor in county government. For trust, I think we can significantly ramp up transparency initiatives.
Are there any community groups, institutions, or individuals you believe should be involved in shaping or reviewing the charter?
I think the the Douglas County School Board, city councils, state elected officials, special districts, and organizations involved in water policy, open space, and economic development should be included as they are all the most affected by county policy. I think anyone who wants to be included should be.
Against home rule?
YES
If home rule initiative passes, are you in favor of...
Do you believe the Board of County Commissioners should retain sole authority over appointing library trustees, rather than allowing an independent library board to do so?
NO
Do you believe Douglas County should use Home Rule to opt out of the state minimum wage?
NO
Should the future Home Rule charter grant the County discretionary power to regulate local elections differently from state standards (e.g., voting access, procedures)?
NO
Do you oppose converting currently elected county positions—such as sheriff, coroner, or clerk and recorder—into appointed positions under a Home Rule charter?
NO
Do you support preserving current term limits for county commissioners and other elected officials and maintaining current campaign finance law any future Home Rule charter?
YES
In a future home rule charter, should the state, not county commissioners, retain the sole authority to approve changes to elected officials’ compensation?
YES
Do you support expanding the number of commissioners to 5, with 3 of them being elected by district and 2 at large?
YES
Are you prepared to stand alone, if necessary, to defend principles of transparency and fair representation?
YES
Is there anything else you would like voters to know?
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