Vic Holmes is hitting the election trail again.

Holmes, re-elected at Rathdrum's mayor in November, will challenge incumbent Dan Green for the District 3 seat on the Kootenai County Commission in the primary on May 15.

Holmes has been Rathdrum's mayor for five years and served on the City Council for four.

"I think it's time for me to further take advantage of the skills I have been taught and apply those to the best of my ability for the community and my family," Holmes said. "Trying to be mayor (a part-time position) and make a living can be a complicated deal.

"I strongly feel the municipal skills I've acquired could and would serve to benefit all the citizens of Kootenai County."

As mayor, Holmes said he has helped create a financially sound city, given it a louder voice among governments and has been a part of the city's progress.

If he's elected as a commissioner, Holmes said he would either close Eagle Garage Doors, a firm he has owned for 12 years, or turn it over to an employee to concentrate on his county duties full time.

"I'm not the rich kid who wants a hobby," he said. "I want a full-time job and give it the attention it requires."

Holmes, a 57-year-old who has lived in the county for 30 years, has also served as vice president and president of the Rathdrum Area Chamber of Commerce.

He has served eight years on the Kootenai Metropolitan Planning Organization, a transportation board of which he is vice chairman, three years on the Association of Idaho Cities' Legislative Committee and two years on the Lakeland School District's Strategic Planning Committee.

Holmes opposes the ideas of Kootenai County hiring an administrator or adding more commission seats.

"If three people (commissioners) can't do the job, what good would more hiring do?" he said.

Holmes believes more partnerships, including those between the county, area cities, school districts, civic groups and chambers of commerce, can be realized.

"I find them very productive," he said. "As mayor, I used them many times."

As he did in Rathdrum when he was first elected mayor, Holmes would call for an immediate facility study, including the jail and sheriff's office.

"The county's facilities can not be ignored any longer," he said. "The only way to spend taxpayer monies wisely is to plan, not pretend. An answer needs to be found to ensure these overlooked structures meet future needs of the county."

Holmes said he would support efforts allowing dry port districts for freight-handling facilities to be created.

"One more way we might attract new industry and create much-needed jobs," he said.