Julie Gooden
www.DougCoIntegrityAlliance.com & DougCo Integrity Alliance (FB)
Values & Motivation
Do you personally support or oppose the move to Home Rule? Why or why not?
Right now, I oppose it because the timeline feels rushed. If, in the future, the people of Douglas County choose to pursue Home Rule with plenty of time for thoughtful planning and meaningful public input, I would likely be in support.
Why do you want to serve on the Home Rule Charter Commission?
I'm especially passionate about ensuring a strong and inclusive stakeholder process, something I regularly lead in my professional work. Given how this current process has unfolded, I feel a responsibility to speak up for those who aren’t at the table and to challenge decisions that limit public input or lean too heavily in one direction. It’s going to take someone with the courage to face pushback and still prioritize the public’s best interest—and I’m ready to be that person.
What do you see as the most important values that should guide the charter-writing process?
Integrity and fairness should be at the heart of the charter-writing process. Douglas County should be a place where everyone feels welcome and supported. While political winds may shift, steering the process too far in one direction is risky and ultimately harmful to our community.
The process must be transparent and focused on meeting the needs of all residents—not just those who align with one party or ideology. Writing a charter that reflects only one side’s values is a divisive tactic that breeds mistrust. True trust is built through shared representation and mutual respect, even for those we may not agree with.
This charter should not be used as a tool for political control or to extract favors—it should serve the people, not power. We won't all see eye-to-eye, but if we choose leaders known for their integrity and fairness, we can trust them to speak up and do what’s right when it matters most.
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?
To ensure the charter reflects the needs of all Douglas County residents—not just those in power or politically aligned—I would start by closely examining who has been selected to serve on the commission and what interests they represent. That helps reveal who’s not at the table, and those are exactly the voices I would seek out for consultation and input.
Lack of representation is often clearest by who is missing from the conversation. I believe it’s my responsibility to actively fill that gap. To do so, I plan to host community coffees, virtual forums, and in-person meetings at libraries across the county to make myself accessible to anyone who wants to share ideas, feedback, or concerns about what the commission is discussing.
I understand that I may not share the same political alignment as some in our community—but that doesn’t mean their ideas aren’t valuable. Quite the opposite: hearing different viewpoints is essential to understanding the broader picture. My goal is to listen, learn, and ensure the final charter reflects respect and representation for everyone, not just those who agree with me.
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?
I believe allowing County Commissioners to appoint current elected positions, without a public vote, would do real harm to the integrity of our county government. These roles are meant to provide checks and balances and to function independently, free from political pressure or favoritism. Shifting them to appointed positions risks reducing transparency, eroding public trust, and silencing the voice of voters.
Right now, commissioners are pointing out that all current elected officials support Home Rule—but imagine the impact if even one of them didn’t. If their role became an appointed one, their opposition could cost them their job at the end of their term. That’s a powerful example of why these offices must remain accountable to the people, not subject to political alignment or loyalty.
Voter voice is fundamental to democracy. Taking that away doesn’t strengthen governance—it weakens it.
Would you support or oppose charter provisions that limit the consolidation of power into the hands of a few officials?
I would strongly support charter provisions that limit the consolidation of power. Concentrating authority in the hands of a few is a major red flag for any democracy. When power is centralized, it often leads to fewer voices being heard and less accountability to the public.
A healthy democracy thrives on broad representation—where leaders are expected to serve all residents, not just a select group. Efforts to consolidate power often silence dissent, discourage transparency, and weaken the public’s ability to influence decisions.
So I ask: do you feel truly represented when power is concentrated at the top? I believe most people don’t—and that’s exactly why safeguards against this kind of consolidation are so important.
Resistance to Extremism
How would you respond if fellow commissioners proposed changes that would reduce public input, centralize control, or limit democratic participation?
If a fellow commissioner proposed changes that would reduce public input, centralize control, or limit democratic participation, my first step would be to raise the concern directly within the commission to clarify whether that was truly the intent. If it turns out to be an oversight, I would work collaboratively to suggest alternative solutions that protect public involvement.
However, if the limitation of public input is intentional and met with resistance to change, I would be vocal about it—not just within the commission, but publicly. Voters deserve to know when their voices are being sidelined, and who is choosing to silence them versus who is standing up for transparency and inclusion.
As charter commissioners, we don’t have executive power—but we do have our voices and the strength of our convictions. I plan to use mine to ensure this process remains open, democratic, and accountable to the people it’s meant to serve.
Community Engagement
What specific steps would you take to engage residents across the political spectrum, including those who may not trust this process?
As I’ve mentioned before, I plan to use every communication tool available to make sure residents can easily reach me and share their input—regardless of their political perspective or level of trust in the process. That includes hosting regular community coffees, virtual meetings, and larger in-person gatherings to ensure accessibility for a wide range of voices.
If I’m selected for this commission, I’ll set up a predictable schedule of engagement opportunities right away so people can plan ahead and know when and where they can connect. Beyond that, I’m more than willing to attend meetings, events, or group discussions—anywhere people have questions, concerns, or ideas to share.
I also welcome suggestions for outreach I may not have considered. If there’s an invitation, I’ll do everything I can to show up and listen. Trust is built through consistency, openness, and genuine willingness to engage—and that’s the approach I’ll take throughout this process.
Are there any community groups, institutions, or individuals you believe should be involved in shaping or reviewing the charter?
There are simply too many important groups, institutions, and individuals to list them all—business leaders, educators, local governments, residents, commuters, public safety officials, and more. That’s exactly why rushing this process is so concerning.
The diversity of our county is what makes it strong, but it also means that truly inclusive charter development takes time. It’s unrealistic—and unfair—to expect meaningful engagement from all corners of our community within the limited 8-week timeline we’ve been given.
Moving forward without broad, intentional outreach risks excluding the very voices the charter is meant to serve. If we’re serious about creating a document that reflects the values and needs of everyone in Douglas County, then seeking out all perspectives, deliberately and thoughtfully, is the only responsible path forward.
Against home rule
YES
If home rule initiative passes, are 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?
YES
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?
I want voters to know that I don’t take this responsibility lightly. I fully understand that this process will be intense and demanding—an enormous amount of work in a short amount of time with long-term consequences for Douglas County. But I’m ready for it. I’m committed to approaching this role with integrity, fairness, and a deep respect for the diverse voices that make up our community. I will work hard to ensure that transparency, public input, and balanced representation remain at the center of the charter process. This isn’t about power or politics for me—it’s about stewardship, trust, and standing up for everyone, especially those who may not feel heard. I will show up, listen carefully, speak honestly, and do everything I can to represent you with the seriousness and dedication this role demands.