During my campaign for county council, I have had countless conversations with people across the islands, and they have shaped how I will approach the budget.
In April, 60.67% of San Juan County voters rejected the county’s levy lid lift. The message was clear: residents are not looking to pay more in property taxes. The council is now working to balance the 2027 budget by cutting roughly $3.7 million, and 2028 will likely bring harder choices.
Voters had various reasons. Many felt the campaign didn’t explain the levy clearly; others are cutting their own budgets as groceries, fuel, and health insurance climb.
The county faces the same pressure. Inflation, unfunded state mandates, and federal and state cuts strain the Current Expense Fund, while regular property tax revenue can grow only 1% a year without voter approval.
As a candidate, my responsibility is protecting what the state requires and being honest about what we can’t afford. If elected, I will:
- Protect core mandated services in the current expense budget: courts and justice, law enforcement, elections, and health services for our most vulnerable.
- Prioritize non-mandated services that matter most to our community: senior services, environmental protection, county parks, agriculture, and code revisions that encourage affordable housing.
As a former school board member, I spent 11 years managing public agency budgets, balancing each year’s budget while protecting long-term financial health.
For 2028, I will look for alternative ways to increase revenue while keeping services consistent and professional.
This is not the time to expand county services, and voters deserve a candidate who will say so plainly. I will not promise what the county can’t deliver. I will live within our means and be open about the choices ahead.
—Jennifer Swanson, Candidate for County Council District 3; Oct. 3, 2026