Bruce Noble plans to pursue specific changes for the county if elected to the district 1 commissioner seat, he said.

The engineer and land surveyor hopes such changes would provide more representation to voters, and a more efficiently run government.

"I'm a pretty ardent supporter of expanding the commissioners to five, and (reinstating) a county administrator," the 58-year-old said.

Noble, filed as a Republican candidate, said expanding the number of commissioners and adding an administrator are his chief goals if made commissioner.

He believes more commissioners are necessary to adequately represent the county's 70,000 registered voters, he said, especially those living in the outlying areas that might be overlooked.

"Right now, the relationship is one commissioner for every 23,000 voters," said Noble, who lives in Post Falls. "With five, you have one for every 14,000."

He sees a county administrator as crucial to freeing up the commissioners for policy making, he added, so they aren't bogged down in day-to-day managerial decisions.

An administrator would also provide ongoing knowledge of county activities and processes, he said.

"Every two years, we have the opportunity to have two (new commissioners) who have never served in that position before. They have no institutional knowledge, and I've been informed by people who have done it that's it's a huge learning curve," said Noble, who has served on the Idaho Commission for Libraries for 14 years. "It would be helpful to have someone who has ongoing institutional knowledge all the time."

Noble would also work to streamline the county's Community Development department, he added, so land use decisions are made as quickly as possible.

He would also support the consolidation of the county's four highway districts, he said, which he believes could save tax dollars.

Noble, who has a bachelor's degree in science and civil engineering from the University of Idaho, has worked as an engineering consultant and professional land surveyor. He also worked as an engineer for the city of Post Falls.

He has become familiar with the county hearing process after representing individuals before the commissioners, he said.

"I understand the process for land use decisions better than all the people running in this primary, including the incumbent," Noble said.

He is president of a renewable energy development company.

Noble and his wife of 29 years, Peggy, have two grown children.

Noble ran for commissioner four years ago but lost in the general election. Although he ran as a Democrat at that time, he said several Republicans prompted him to run this time as a member of the GOP.

He doesn't think the commissioner role should be a partisan position.

"I think I am as well or better educated than the majority of the people running for this position," Noble said.