Dahlstedt vs. Gordon: Different approaches to flood protection, budget

The biggest disagreement between the two candidates for Skagit County’s District 2 commission seat is over one of the biggest issues — flood protection.

Incumbent Democrat Ken Dahlstedt said he would rely more on state and federal funding for a flood-control project that the federal government estimates will cost hundreds of millions of dollars.

It may not be easy to secure a large federal grant for flood protection, but in Dahlstedt’s view locals simply cannot afford to pay for the total package, which could cost roughly $250 million, according to a 2007 estimate.

The challenger, Republican Don Gordon, said he doesn’t believe Skagit County will get a lump sum for flood protection from Congress after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers signs off on a flood-control package for the valley. He cited Congress’ commitment to a $700 billion bailout of the financial sector as reason to believe there won’t be much money left over for the county’s project.

Gordon believes the burden is on the locals to figure out how to pay for flood protection. Dahlstedt has criticized Gordon’s approach, wondering how locals would afford new levees and bypass channels — big-ticket items that quickly reach the multi-million-dollar range.

Gordon said he hasn’t settled on what a funding package would look like.

“I can’t give you a specific tax proposal, but I can say it’s going to have to be a combination of local funds and moneys we can get from the state and the federal government,” Gordon said. “We’re going to have to tap every federal agency that might be involved in the movement of water. There’s not going to be any big pie in the sky from the Corps of Engineers. We’re going to have to tax ourselves to do it.”

The tax bite might not be as painful, and the corps’ $250-plus million estimate may be overstated, Gordon said. He believes the magnitude of the “100-year” flood — a statistical event that has a 1-percent chance of occurring in a given year — will be less than anyone expects.

Burlington Public Works Director Chal Martin and a consulting engineering firm, Pacific International Engineering, are about to release a re-analysis of historical flood data that puts the 100-year flood at a level much lower than the corps and even Pacific International previously thought, Gordon said.

The latest comparison of data from the corps and the local consultant, released more than a year ago, showed their two flood heights to be about four feet apart in places.

In an interview, Martin confirmed that Pacific International and the city of Burlington were finalizing a report on new results for the Skagit River flood which should be available in the next few weeks.

Gordon is excited about the potential of Burlington’s research.

“Once we find out what the levels are — and they’re going to be much smaller than what we were threatened with — there’ll be projects that can be managed,” Gordon said. “Contrary to what people say we’ll be certifying some levees (as protection against a 100-year flood), and that’s big news.”

Dahlstedt said the county was open to new information from the cities.

“We support the most accurate data that’s available. It doesn’t matter who has it,” Dahlstedt said.

To Dahlstedt, the race is a referendum on how well he’s done during his eight years on the job.

Gordon says it’s not about whether Dahlstedt has done a good job. It’s about voters having a real choice.

“I don’t think the incumbent has done anything distinct to either qualify him or disqualify him from office,” Gordon said. “There are two very different candidates in this race, two very different approaches.”

Dahlstedt says the county is right to develop a flood plan through a 15-member advisory committee that includes a wide range of stakeholders. He has said the corps’ stamp of approval is essential, because it is a prerequisite to the federal aid that will be needed.

Both candidates said they would pay close attention to the county’s spending, as revenues have been in decline.

Dahlstedt has worked to keep 10 percent of the county’s $50 million general fund balance in the bank as a reserve fund.

Gordon would rather see the reserve closer to 20 percent. In 2004, Gordon pointed out, the total general budget was $41 million, and the county had $7.1 million left in reserve.

“I’ll approach that budget process with a vengeance and make changes that restore the reserves,” Gordon said.

Gordon supports preservation of agricultural land, calling it “a first priority,” but he sees rural issues through an urban lens.

Farmland preservation requires healthy, vibrant cities that attract new residents, Gordon said. This would keep the pressures of new residential developments away from the farms, he said.

For the last two years, Gordon has lobbied on Mount Vernon’s behalf for a state funding package that could bring the city $12.5 million in state tax revenue over 25 years. Mount Vernon was awarded that package this year.

“When a city decides to revitalize within the current city limits, we should be cheerleaders. ... Farmers don’t understand this when they read (about Mount Vernon’s redevelopment) in the papers,” Gordon said.

Dahlstedt said he has always voted to protect farmland and timber land to keep those industries healthy.

Another big expense the county anticipates is a new, larger jail in downtown Mount Vernon to replace the current, overcrowded one.

Gordon’s idea to defray the cost of the jail would be to rent part of the building for affordable housing and office space.

“There’s not enough class-A office space, and we have only limited square feet in the downtown area,” said Gordon, who owns an office building on Main Street in Mount Vernon.

Dahlstedt supports a new sales tax to pay for the new jail, rather than the other likely option, a new property tax.

“Everyone in the community benefits from public safety,” Dahlstedt said, and he included the tourist who dials 911. “Everyone should help pay for it.”

• Ralph Schwartz can be reached at 360-416-2138 or .



Contributions to the four Skagit County commissioner candidates (as of Oct. 3)

Ron Wesen, District 1 — $39,594

Includes $1,146 from Washington Farm Bureau PAC for printing and postage

Bill Turner, District 1 — $33,378

Includes $15,500 in personal funds and $850 from former Anacortes Attorney/Planning Director Ian Munce for an ad

Don Gordon, District 2 — $22,377

Includes a $5,000 loan and $100 in personal funds

Ken Dahlstedt, District 2 — $20,141



Primary election results

Ken Dahlstedt 4,195 (49.3%)

Don Gordon 3,562 (41.8%)

Robyn Choffel 737 (8.7%)