What has Cindy done so far?
Cindy is currently serving as Chair of the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) which involves organizing and running meetings, public hearings, and departmental work sessions as well as serving on the Council of Governments with the mayors of Victor, Driggs, and Tetonia.
Here are some highlights from her current term:
Here are some highlights from her current term:
- Adopted a modern Land Development Code (LDC) for Teton County that will result in more thoughtful subdivisions that better protect open space and wildlife habitat.
- Created more opportunities for employee housing in industrial and agricultural zones of the County.
- Partnered with the Teton County Joint Housing Authority (TCJHA) and a nonprofit developer to build community and County employee housing at the former Road and Bridge facility in downtown Driggs.
- Leveraged American Rescue Plan Act (AARPA) Funds for a Pavilion Expansion at the Fairgrounds, a new Teton County Search and Rescue Building, and two affordable housing projects in Driggs.
- Updated the County's Capital Improvement Plan and Impact Fee Ordinance so new development helps pay its fair share of county infrastructure improvements.
- Established a full-time Code Compliance Technician Position for Teton County.
- Supported additional positions and funding for Teton County Sheriff and Prosecutor's Offices.
- Upgraded the County's Road and Bridge facility with a renovation and move into the Old Armory building.
- Initiated Wildland Urban-Interface (WUI) management to reduce the threat of wildfire in Teton County in partnership with High Country Resource, Conservation, and Development.
- Secured a Safe Streets for All grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to collaboratively plan for Highway 33 corridor improvements with the cities, ITD and Teton Valley Trails and Pathways.
- Partnered with Fremont, Madison, and Clark Counties to open a state of-the-art landfill that is closer than the current landfill in Jefferson County and will reduce travel time, road impacts, and fuel use.
- Formed community advisory committees to help the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) address wildlife habitat protection and Teton River management.
- Formed the Teton County Historic Preservation Commissioner to implement strategies for preserving and educating the public about Teton Valley's human history.
- Initiated Town Hall Listening Sessions for members of the public to address the BoCC on community and local government issues.
- Established and secured funding for the community’s Joint Housing Authority and approved the community-wide Affordable Housing Strategic Plan that is currently being implemented.
- Obtained 20 million dollars in funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation to improve mobility and public safety along the congested ID-33/WY-22 corridor through collaboration with partners on both sides of the Tetons (Build Grant).
- Declared a pandemic emergency and led the effort to establish a coordinated response to COVID-19 that has successfully slowed the spread of the virus in our community
- Initiated and led the land purchase, development, and protection of the Bates Boat Ramp/Buxton River Park project (boat ramp, parking lot, bathrooms, trail, and interpretive signs)
- Worked with citizens, Idaho Fish and Game, and the Bureau of Land Management to secure land for a public shooting range in Teton County (waiting on the BLM to complete NEPA)
- Prevented development of a county-owned parcel adjacent to Teton Creek and supported construction of a new pathway for improved public access.
- Leveraged funds from Teton Valley Hospital to assist nonprofits that serve community members in need (Food Bank, Senior Center, Community Resource Center, Mental Health Coalition).
- Initiated a financial and operational audit of Teton County's transfer station and waste management/recycle systems to better plan for capital expenses and expansion, if needed.
What still needs to be done?
Land Development Code Compliance - We must create a better system for communicating to the public about our regulations and why they exist. Additionally, without fair and consistent enforcement of our local ordinances, we will make little progress in our efforts to protect what is unique and special about Teton Valley. The current Board of County Commissioner created a Code Compliance Technician position to help the Planning and Building Departments better respond to citizen complaints and work with landowners to ensure compliance. I am committed to enforcing local laws established to promote human health and safety, organized growth, predictability for residents, and natural resource protection.
Short Term Rental Licensing - Teton County's Land Development Code has a provision for licensing short-term rentals in residential areas in order to protect health, safety and quality of life in our neighborhoods and subdivisions. As a result, short-term rentals will be required to have adequate septic capacity, parking, quiet hours, and an emergency contact. Implementation of the program has not happened yet due to staff capacity and may require contracting with a third party that does short-term rental compliance. With over 500 short-term rentals in the County, the license fee ($150/year) will cover the cost of the service.
Wildlife Protections - Honoring the ecosystem we live in is a top priority for me. It is too easy to forget that we live in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Teton Valley provides habitat for the same suite of species that occupy Yellowstone National Park. Some of these species depend on habitat in Teton County for survival including sandhill cranes, cutthroat trout, moose, and grizzly bears. As we continue to grow and develop, the county needs to work more closely with Idaho Fish and Game, local non-profits, and our public land managers to ensure that we adequately protect critical wildlife habitat. This includes evaluating the impacts of recreational use on the Teton River and mitigating roadkill hotspots.
Economic Development for Locals and Small businesses - Good, family wage, year round jobs in Teton Valley are still hard to come by. So many of our residents continue to commute over Teton Pass to work but would love a job closer to home. We saw the significant impact the Teton Pass closure had on local commuting families. We need to shift our focus and actions away from a tourist and real estate based economy towards a more sustainable economic future for everyone in our community. This effort must be driven by local priorities rather than corporate interests. Teton Regional Economic Coalition (TREC) is doing this work on behalf of Teton County and the cities within it. I will continue to support TREC's mission to implement Teton County's updated Economic Development Plan (2024).
Comprehensive Plan Update - A lot has changed and a lot has been accomplished since Teton County's 2012-2030 Comprehensive Plan was completed. It is time to start thinking about and actively planning for the next 30 years. I believe an important aspect of updating the Comprehensive Plan is to include regional issues (namely housing and transportation) and dive into what more our community can be doing to address climate change and enhance resilience to wildfire and extreme weather events.
Cedron to Bates Road Improvements - This is a priority road project for Teton County, and I will continue to advocate for more resources to rebuild the failing sections between Cedron and Bates. Many of Teton County's roads are in need of attention, but this is a major thoroughfare for residents, farmers, and recreationists. It needs to be brought up to a higher standard throughout the corridor. The County recently secured state funding to rebuild another mile of this road, and I will make sure that happens.
Lodging Tax for Counties - Idaho collects a 2% Travel and Convention Tax statewide (above the standard 6% sales tax) on lodging sales. The funds are distributed by the The Idaho Department of Commerce in the following way: 10% goes to the administration of the program; 45% goes to fund travel promotion statewide; 45% goes to the Idaho Regional Travel and Convention (ITC) Grant Program. This amounts to $700,000 leaving Teton County annually and being used to promote more tourism. The County receives nothing to help pay for the impact of tourism and growth on county infrastructure and services. This has got to change. I proposed a bill and have been working with the Idaho Association of Counties to lobby the state legislature for a 4% Travel and Convention Tax so that 2% can be sent back to the County where it was collected.
Local Government that Works for You - Solving big, cross-departmental and inter-jurisdictional problems like code enforcement, traffic on Highway 31, and the Teton Pass Closure requires leaders who are willing to work diligently and collaboratively on behalf of the entire community. While I have served as Board Chair, the BoCC has built strong cooperative relationships with the cities, fire/EMS, hospital, federal land managers, non-profits, state legislators, and the business community. I believe in transparency and accountability to the people I am working for and have a proven track record of building strong relationships and being a team player willing to work across divides.
I look forward to working with these two incredible candidates who have a strong record of community service and activism:
Emma Ray for County Commissioner https://www.emmarayfortetoncounty.com
Maggie Shaw for State Representative District 35B
Short Term Rental Licensing - Teton County's Land Development Code has a provision for licensing short-term rentals in residential areas in order to protect health, safety and quality of life in our neighborhoods and subdivisions. As a result, short-term rentals will be required to have adequate septic capacity, parking, quiet hours, and an emergency contact. Implementation of the program has not happened yet due to staff capacity and may require contracting with a third party that does short-term rental compliance. With over 500 short-term rentals in the County, the license fee ($150/year) will cover the cost of the service.
Wildlife Protections - Honoring the ecosystem we live in is a top priority for me. It is too easy to forget that we live in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Teton Valley provides habitat for the same suite of species that occupy Yellowstone National Park. Some of these species depend on habitat in Teton County for survival including sandhill cranes, cutthroat trout, moose, and grizzly bears. As we continue to grow and develop, the county needs to work more closely with Idaho Fish and Game, local non-profits, and our public land managers to ensure that we adequately protect critical wildlife habitat. This includes evaluating the impacts of recreational use on the Teton River and mitigating roadkill hotspots.
Economic Development for Locals and Small businesses - Good, family wage, year round jobs in Teton Valley are still hard to come by. So many of our residents continue to commute over Teton Pass to work but would love a job closer to home. We saw the significant impact the Teton Pass closure had on local commuting families. We need to shift our focus and actions away from a tourist and real estate based economy towards a more sustainable economic future for everyone in our community. This effort must be driven by local priorities rather than corporate interests. Teton Regional Economic Coalition (TREC) is doing this work on behalf of Teton County and the cities within it. I will continue to support TREC's mission to implement Teton County's updated Economic Development Plan (2024).
Comprehensive Plan Update - A lot has changed and a lot has been accomplished since Teton County's 2012-2030 Comprehensive Plan was completed. It is time to start thinking about and actively planning for the next 30 years. I believe an important aspect of updating the Comprehensive Plan is to include regional issues (namely housing and transportation) and dive into what more our community can be doing to address climate change and enhance resilience to wildfire and extreme weather events.
Cedron to Bates Road Improvements - This is a priority road project for Teton County, and I will continue to advocate for more resources to rebuild the failing sections between Cedron and Bates. Many of Teton County's roads are in need of attention, but this is a major thoroughfare for residents, farmers, and recreationists. It needs to be brought up to a higher standard throughout the corridor. The County recently secured state funding to rebuild another mile of this road, and I will make sure that happens.
Lodging Tax for Counties - Idaho collects a 2% Travel and Convention Tax statewide (above the standard 6% sales tax) on lodging sales. The funds are distributed by the The Idaho Department of Commerce in the following way: 10% goes to the administration of the program; 45% goes to fund travel promotion statewide; 45% goes to the Idaho Regional Travel and Convention (ITC) Grant Program. This amounts to $700,000 leaving Teton County annually and being used to promote more tourism. The County receives nothing to help pay for the impact of tourism and growth on county infrastructure and services. This has got to change. I proposed a bill and have been working with the Idaho Association of Counties to lobby the state legislature for a 4% Travel and Convention Tax so that 2% can be sent back to the County where it was collected.
Local Government that Works for You - Solving big, cross-departmental and inter-jurisdictional problems like code enforcement, traffic on Highway 31, and the Teton Pass Closure requires leaders who are willing to work diligently and collaboratively on behalf of the entire community. While I have served as Board Chair, the BoCC has built strong cooperative relationships with the cities, fire/EMS, hospital, federal land managers, non-profits, state legislators, and the business community. I believe in transparency and accountability to the people I am working for and have a proven track record of building strong relationships and being a team player willing to work across divides.
I look forward to working with these two incredible candidates who have a strong record of community service and activism:
Emma Ray for County Commissioner https://www.emmarayfortetoncounty.com
Maggie Shaw for State Representative District 35B
Help Re-Elect Cindy Riegel and support her efforts to preserve the character
of Teton Valley and provide opportunities for our community.
of Teton Valley and provide opportunities for our community.
