Salt Lake Tribune: Newcomers are ready to make an impact

Davis County Commission: With two incumbents leaving, there's a chance to change the face of the county's government

By Lori Buttars
The Salt Lake Tribune

Article Last Updated:10/17/2006 03:15:13 PM MDT

With a pair of incumbent commissioners leaving the stage, Davis County voters have a chance to recast their county government.

Will the two new stars include the first Democrat elected to a county post in a dozen years? Will one be a woman? A Latino? Or will voters stick with a white male Republican?

This year's matchups for the $96,000-a-year positions:
* For Seat A, Bountiful Democrat Rob Miller against Centerville Republican Bret Millburn, who earned the GOP nod by topping other hopefuls including three-term incumbent Dannie McConkie.
* For Seat B, to replace retiring Commissioner Carol Page, Layton Republican Louenda Downs versus Clinton Democrat Chris Martinez.

Miller contends a lack of diversity on the commission played a part in the all-GOP panel's failed push four years ago for a 138 percent increase in the county's share of property taxes.

"When one party dominates, the full story never gets out," he says. "They shake hands in public and the people never know otherwise. That kind of thinking led to them putting off raising taxes until the situation became desperate."

In the end, commissioners - after a residents' revolt - settled on a 24 percent hike in 2002 and the next year persuaded voters to approve a $24.8 million bond to expand the county jail.
The current commissioners are expected to implement the second phase of the tax increase to pay off the bond - along with other items, such as covering the rising cost of providing aging services and repairing the flood-control infrastructure - on their way out the door.

"It's appropriate that they be the ones to finish what they started," Miller says. "I've looked at the issues. At this point, the need is there. I may support this tax increase publicly, but I would not vote for it. because I've told the voters I would not raise taxes if they elect me."

Miller, vice chairman of the Utah Democratic Party, aims to build bridges between the parties. He formerly worked as an administrator at a retirement center and says he understands the problems facing the elderly.

"But I can't do any of it if I don't get elected," he says. "I'm not out to eradicate the Republicans because I truly believe a two-party system benefits us all and that by working together we can find better alternatives to raising taxes all the time."

Miller, whose professional background is in sales and marketing, says the county's economic-development plan should focus on bringing in businesses,Chris J. Martinez Democratic canidate for Davis County Commission not just retail, to reduce commuting and keep down property taxes.

Millburn maintains he never would have proposed a 138 percent tax boost and that it is wrong to paint him with the Republicans who did.

"I'm not running on no new taxes," he says. "I'm running because I want to be part of the team that solves the problems."

Millburn oversaw transportation of athletes for the Salt Lake Organizing Committee during the 2002 Winter Olympics, and he echoes former SLOC President Mitt Romney's philosophy of budgeting in three categories: must haves, nice to haves and enhancements.

He says that since the tax episode, Davis County government has suffered from an image problem.

"Communication is key," he says. "Those issues didn't develop overnight, and they won't correct themselves overnight. But a close watch and good communication can help us move forward."
Millburn touts a strong background in volunteer work stemming from his SLOC service and his current post as director of planning and development with United Way of Northern Utah.
In the other commission race, both Downs and Martinez say they yearn to involve residents in finding solutions to the issues.

Downs points to her work as assistant director of the Davis Education Foundation, which has taken her to all parts of the county and allowed her to tap sources other than taxpayers to secure funding.

"My experience is in bringing people together," she says, "finding out what the concerns are and working to find a solution and a way to pay for it."

Downs sees one issue as most pressing: bringing all 15 communities together to create a countywide master plan to address all aspects of county needs.

"As a county, our response has been to react to things when they come up," she says. "There are several issues that we cannot afford to be reactive - public safety, disaster planning, domestic violence and child abuse among others."

Martinez, who served on the Clinton City Council in a nonpartisan post, lost in 2004 to Republican Alan Hansen, who come January will be the senior member of the County Commission.

"I have a lot to offer," Martinez says. "I'm concerned about the aging population. It's the fastest growing population in Davis County right now."

Martinez, who wishes commission races were nonpartisan, nonetheless argues for political equity.

"One of the reasons we ended up with that [huge proposed tax increase] is because there needs to be a system of checks and balances."

lorib@sltrib.com

BRET MILLBURN
* AGE: 39
* FAMILY: Married to Michelle, two sons and two daughters.
* EDUCATION: Earned bachelor's degree in psychology with a minor in political science from Weber State University and associate's from then-Ricks College.
* POLITICAL: Serves on Centerville City Parks & Recreation Committee and is a former communications director for Rep. Rob Bishop.
* PROFESSIONAL: Worked for the Salt Lake Organizing Committee, served as an assistant to the Speaker of the Utah House of Representatives and is now a director of development for United Way of Northern Utah.
* FUN FACT: Owns a 16-foot drift boat for fishing but hasn't taken it out this year.

ROB MILLER
* AGE: 41
* FAMILY: Married to Michelle, two daughters and one son.
* EDUCATION: Attended the University of Utah and Brigham Young University and is finishing a degree in business administration from Columbia College.
* POLITICAL: Currently vice chairman of Utah Democratic Party.
* PROFESSIONAL: Worked for a Park City marketing firm, left to become administrator of Chateaux Brickyard Retirement Center in Salt Lake City before starting his own sales and consulting firm, Amicus Relations Partners.
* FUN FACT: Has bipartisan roots - his father chaired the Utah Democratic Party and his grandmother was vice chairman of the Utah Republican Party.

LOUENDA DOWNS
* AGE: 53
* FAMILY: Married to Vance, two daughters.
* EDUCATION: Earned bachelor's degree in education from Weber State University.
* POLITICAL: Served on Davis County School Board.
* PROFESSIONAL: Taught in Davis County schools from 1978-84, became an educational-software consultant and currently is assistant director of the Davis Education Foundation.
* FUN FACT: Played keyboards and sang in bands with her husband.

CHRIS MARTINEZ:
* AGE: 69
* FAMILY: Married to Arcelia, three grown children.
* EDUCATION: Associate's in business and tax accounting from Stevens-Henegar College.
* POLITICAL: Served on Clinton City Council from 2000 to 2002.
* PROFESSIONAL: Tax consultant who continues to volunteer for the Internal Revenue Service.
* FUN FACT: Reared on a ranch and would love to ride his horse more often.

Commission Seat A
Commission Seat B
Where they stand

Would you approve placing a countywide arts and recreation tax on the ballot?

*DOWNS: Yes, but I would consider it only if there was overwhelming constituent support, a clear and sagacious plan, and no competitive disadvantages.
* MARTINEZ: Yes, as long as it doesn't affect our property tax.
* MILLBURN: Yes, however, I would not support a commission-approved tax increase for this, but would gladly vote to add it to the ballot for the citizens of Davis County to vote up or down.
* MILLER: Yes, I would allow Davis County residents a second opportunity to decide if they would benefit from the quality-of-life opportunities a RAP tax would bring.
Would you vote to decrease the county commissioner's pay to cut costs in the county budget?

* DOWNS: Yes, I would be willing to freeze or decrease that salary in an effort to cut costs.
* MARTINEZ: Yes, I would also recommend no cost-of-living increases while I'm in office.
* MILLBURN: Yes. When it comes to cutting costs, nothing is immune.
* MILLER: Yes. Not only would I vote for a decrease, I will vote against any proposed increase in the commissioner's salaries over the next four years.

If parts, or all, of the proposed tax increase that is currently being considered by county officials do not pass, will you implement them in the future?

* DOWNS: No, if those you represent vote "no," then you must find other ways to provide vital services until voters speak otherwise.
* MARTINEZ: No, depending on the part that is not funded and why.
* MILLBURN: No. Taxation is often the quickest and easiest source to find funding and I fundamentally disagree with that philosophy.
* MILLER: No. I will not vote for a property tax increase during my first four years as a commissioner, but would consider an appropriate tax increase during my second term, but only if needed.