County commissioner outlines revenue drivers, warns of wildfire risk and planning timeline

County Commissioner Todd Andrews briefed the Trout Lake Community Council on March 4 about county finances, land-use planning and wildfire risk, saying timber and tourism revenues and landfill income have helped keep county taxes low.

Andrews told the council that "Timber dollars, tourism, landfill has kept taxes low (22yrs $11mil general fund and more into special community projects)," and listed several county priorities: completing a two-year comprehensive-plan and sub-area planning process, addressing long-term budgeting shortfalls that have led similar counties to staff reductions, and confronting rising wildfire risk that has resulted in some homeowners losing insurance. He also flagged short-term rentals, code compliance and large-scale solar and battery projects on the county's east side as active issues the county is tracking.

In question-and-answer remarks, residents asked why Thursday commissioner working sessions no longer offer Zoom; Andrews said meetings were moved downstairs where Zoom is not available, and that department staff have been reluctant to speak publicly after facing attacks from meeting attendees. On property taxes, Andrews recommended residents contact the assessor regarding valuation questions and explained that a majority of property tax revenue goes to the state and schools, with the county receiving a small share. He said solar development will mainly affect the east end of the county and will change land assessment but "won’t impact the west end," and that lost landfill contracts were covered by other trash contracts.