Spencer for Commissioner

05/20/2024

At the Murphy forum the commissioner candidates were asked if young families today have as much opportunity in Owyhee County as families did 30 years ago. And every candidate agreed, young families do not. I bring a long overlooked perspective to Owyhee County. One that can help guide our county for future generations and help keep our traditions and values strong. A perspective that can help families stay in Owyhee County for generations to come.

05/19/2024

05/19/2024

The questions are from the Owyhee Avalanche newspaper.

05/14/2024

05/12/2024

If you’ve seen me at any of the candidate forums you’ll notice my kids in the audience. I have brought them to every single one. Kids are always watching and learning. Do they get bored at the forums? Probably! But they are apart of my journey and I want them to know they can do whatever they set their minds to. They can stand up for what they believe in and help their community. So we bring them along. My youngest made me a card for Mother’s Day and this was in it. ❤️ Thanks for watching me and supporting me buddy. Maybe someday I’ll be in the audience watching you. Also thank you to my husband for being by my side and theirs and my oldest too! Happy Mother’s Day mommas! Enjoy your day 💞

05/09/2024

TITLE 9

Title 9 is Owyhee County’s Zoning Regulations document. AKA our “laws” when it comes to what we can and cannot do on our private property. It is an 85-page document that was adopted into ordinance in 2009.
Definitions 9-1-4, page 4: “ATTACHED ACCESSORY LIVING QUARTERS…Recreational vehicles shall not be permitted as accessory living quarters in any zoning district.”

Definitions 9-1-4, page 12: “RECREATIONAL VEHICLE: A vehicular type unit primarily designed as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, or travel use, which either has its own motive power or is mounted on or drawn by another vehicle. The entities include, but are not limited to, travel trailer, camping trailer, truck camper, fifth wheel trailer and motor home.”
“RECREATIONAL VEHICLE PARK: An area for the temporary placing of recreational vehicles for the purpose of temporary lodging.”

Page 31, 9-5B-4 permitted uses under conditional use permit for the multi-use zone: “Recreational vehicle parks.”

Page 85 INDEX “RECREATIONAL VEHICLE…4,12,31”

THAT IS IT. THOSE ARE THE ONLY MENTIONS OF RV PARKS IN TITLE 9.
Ambiguous laws are so frustrating. “An RV cannot be PERMITTED as accessory living quarters.” There is no “accessory dwelling permit” on the fee schedule, so what is that? There is no definition for “accessory living quarters” other than a definition for ATTACHED accessory living quarters. Obviously, an RV is not attached. It does not address just living in an RV on your land without a house. It does not say how many RVs constitute a park, but it does use RVs in the plural so it must be more than one. There is not a permit for an RV park in the fee schedule, so do we actually have a title that “takes care of it?” Or will this code be twisted and turned into the beast that was the RV ordinance? Also, there aren’t any nuisance laws in title 9. There aren’t design standards or expectations on how land, homes, rv parks are to be kept.

Please, inspect what you expect. These are public documents. Our commissioners should know EVERYTHING about them. We should read them too. If you don’t want to read the 85 page document, that’s okay, I get it, but don’t get upset at those of us who want clear, concise, just overall better answers from our government.
If you think I’m missing something in title 9 as far as RV parks go, please let me know. My number is 208-577-7381. You can reach me there, here on FB or by email [email protected]
I am willing to listen.

05/08/2024

MY OPINION ON OPEN DOOR POLICIES

I would make sure that the voices of Owyhee County are heard...without a large fee. What do I mean fee? Can you imagine if you went to a business and didn't have the experience you expected, so you wanted to talk to the owner or manager and you were told that would be $3,000?! What would you think? Would you support that business? If you look in the "Owyhee County Fee Schedule" on the county website it shows you all of the things that our commissioners expect fee for. An appeal is set at $3,000. So, if you have applied for some sort of permitting through the Planning and Zoning office, which the commissioners are supposed to oversee, and you didn't get the outcome you had hoped for or been led to believe, you would have to spend $3,000 to 'speak with a manager'.

What about if your neighbor got approved for something that you felt would harm your property rights, so you decide you'd like to talk with your commissioners...you would have to spend $3,000 to 'speak with the manager', at least in an official capacity. I for one do not believe this is the way any reasonable county should operate. I decided to research what other counties typically charge for an appeal. For a citizen to be able to escalate something to their representatives, typically, that amount is around $300-$500 to request to appeal a decision. Remember, counties aren't appealing a decision. You are. The citizens, and in my opinion having a fee of 500% more than most counties says, "I don't want to hear it" and "our commissioners are unavailable to help you."

I would change that immediately, I want Owyhee County citizens to be heard and treated fairly.

more on spencerforcommissioner.com

04/30/2024

I believe in budget management. I think most of us are on the same page when it comes to being conservative with the fiscal budget, and responsible. Did you know that since 2020 the Owyhee County budget has increased 59%?! That's a big increase. Is it normal? Meaning how does that compare to other areas in the Treasure Valley? Luckily budgets are those important documents that have to be made available to the public. Canyon County had a 22% increase from 2020-2024 and Ada County had an increase of 29% for those years. Why has Owyhee County's budget grown so much?! Out of curiosity what does that break down per person in the county? For Owyhee County that is approximately $1,395.99 per person. Canyon County is at $481.40, and Ada is at $704.70 all for the 2024 fiscal budget/population. Luckily, that isn't quite how the budget works, there are more forms of revenue and contributing factors that go into all departments and the county budget as a whole. It does lead the question though as to why Owyhee County has had such a large increase in budget. Are our roads getting maintained better than before 2020? Are we seeing more community benefits with the increased budget? I believe more detail would help us all understand. I understand that we as a county have to have a proper budget, but I believe in fiscal conservativeness and responsibility as a priority. As a commissioner I would ensure that each office was providing all information needed to keep a responsible budget. During departmental update meetings "no updates" will not be a response that suffices anymore, conversations will be had, and every budget and audit will be looked at and inspected.