Jay Scott’s 15 years of interest in Flathead County government, his knowledge of government budgets, his experience as both an employee and an employer, and his good listening skills prompted his run for the District 3 county commissioner spot.

“I have a lot to offer the county,” Scott said. “I realize a county commissioner is one of three and has to be a team player, yet be a good leader when necessary.”

Scott says, if elected, he won’t forget who he works for — the citizens of Flathead County. He said his door always would be open and he would be involved in the community outside the courthouse.

He and his wife sold their cattle and haying equipment last year as Scott planned his run for commissioner so he could work as a commissioner full time.

As a former Flathead County department head (he ran the fairgrounds for 12 years), Scott says he is familiar with the county’s budgeting processes, has worked with other county departments and understands how county government works.

Regarding improved efficiencies within county government, Scott said people need to remember that a small amount — 17 percent — of the property taxes they pay each year are specifically directed to the county.

That said, county commissioners need to control spending, he said.

If elected, he would regularly talk to department heads and visit various county operations to see firsthand what issues employees are dealing with, what equipment needs exist and “see how things are being run so at budget time I could better balance department needs versus wants.”

He emphasized that it’s not a commissioner’s job to micromanage any department, but to see how things operate and to see if there are ways to save money.

“At first glance,” perhaps Flathead County should have full responsibility for the 911 center, which is operated through interlocal agreements between the three incorporated cities and the county, Scott said.

If the county was the sole operator, it might make it easier to keep better track of expenses and equipment needs, he said. But the cities would have to pay the county in some fashion for providing law enforcement services, he said. Exactly how to assign those costs would require investigation, evaluation and discussion.

Interlocal agreements can “open the door to bickering and lawsuits,” Scott said.

Regarding the Whitefish “doughnut” jurisdiction issue, Scott said residents in the two-mile zone surrounding the city of Whitefish need government representation. And, because they live in an unincorporated area of the county, they should be represented by the county, he said.

“The city of Whitefish should control Whitefish within its boundaries, not areas outside the boundaries,” he said.

A lawsuit related to whether the city or county should have jurisdiction in the doughnut is pending.

Flathead County is involved in too many lawsuits, he said.

“It should be looked at why we can’t settle issues and instead the county gets sued,” Scott said. “With some rational discussion, some matters could be resolved outside court.”

“Are we getting things wrong?” he asked, that allows many lawsuits to be filed against the county.

And, he said, county officials also need to work with legislators to see if state laws could be changed to limit instances when people can sue local governments.

Reporter Shelley Ridenour may be reached at 758-4439 or sridenour@dailyinterlake.com.