DePriest announces re-election bid for Hayden City Council

Ed DePriest announced his reelection bid for a Hayden City Council seat.

“Four years ago, I promised to better manage growth and density and make sure taxpayers — not politicians — decided on major tax increases,” DePriest said in a news release. “I kept those promises and I’ll keep fighting for Hayden families, homeowners, and small businesses.” 

DePriest is a retired teacher, coach and 30-year Kootenai County resident who has lived in Hayden for 20 years. He said he’s running on his record of keeping promises and standing up for local families and taxpayers. 

During his first term, DePriest said Hayden residents pointed to growth, density and traffic as their top concerns. In response, DePriest put forth four major zone code text changes and the Standard of Approval regarding the Context of the Neighborhood, all of which were adopted, to address new development. 

“The results speak for themselves,” a news release said. “Over the past four years, there have been zero high-density developments in Hayden and no developments of more than four dwellings per acre.” 

DePriest said he believes the zone code changes have helped the city manage growth and density to the degree that is legally allowed. 

When the cost of the city’s contract with the sheriff’s office increased, DePriest said he pushed to put the question on the ballot, giving voters the final say. This year, he successfully proposed that the city reject a property tax increase and trim around $68,000 from the budget to offset the lack of tax increase. 

Looking to the near future, DePriest said the primary issues facing Hayden will be funding law enforcement and infrastructure needs, as well as continued management of growth and density. He said the city must prepare for increasing law enforcement costs and more than $55 million in needed road and sewer projects. 

“Outside developers and agencies don’t get to dictate Hayden’s future,” DePriest said. “We do. I will keep standing up for our residents, protecting small businesses, and making sure Hayden remains a place where families can thrive.”