Cal Scott - County Commission District 1

Cal Scott says he was deciding what to do with the rest of his life when the District 1 Flathead County commissioner position came open.

“I feel I was called to the position in that what I’ve been doing for 40 years I was comfortable in undertaking such an enormous task,” he said. “It’s difficult for people to understand I’ve accomplished as much as I have.”

Coupled with a “second calling” from people who know him, “I sat with my wife, we discussed it and agreed I could help. It was that simple,” he said .

Then he was “asked to toss my hat in the ring” for the interim commissioner position and “I again felt a calling.”

Scott was appointed interim commissioner last month, replacing the late Jim Dupont. The interim position expires after the November general election.

The primary election is June 5; early voting starts Monday, May 7.

Scott said the litigation related to planning jurisdiction within the Whitefish “doughnut” area is “sad for all county residents.”

Scott said if he had been part of the process years ago, he wouldn’t have advocated for the city of Whitefish to have any jurisdiction in the doughnut are unless the area was annexed into the city. Annexation would have given doughnut residents voting representation, he said.

“I do not advocate any jurisdiction dictating to citizenry without due process and their vote yea or nay,” Scott said.

He says he understands the desire of Whitefish to have some control over the appearance of the entrance to the city.

Two lawsuits are pending to determine whether the county or city of Whitefish should have jurisdiction over planning and development in the doughnut area.

Asked whether Flathead County has been sued too often, Scott responded, “We live in a very litigious society.”

“For whatever reasons we’re in a position now that requires several measures — openness, educating the public, educating the elected officials and fostering an environment that allows cooperation and the making of informed decisions. When we transgress those basic concepts we create ambiguity, confusion and fear, all of which help lead to feelings of harm and wrongful doings.”

Laws provide for due legal process “where people feeling harmed have some measure of recourse,” Scott said.

While he doesn’t think governments should have immunity from lawsuits, he says it is “within the purview of courts and lawmakers to provide some measure of guidance or restrictions to prevent frivolous lawsuits.” One of those options is mediation, he said.

Regarding the 911 dispatch center, Scott says there needs to be cooperation and agreement, coming from interaction between the cities and the county, about costs and responsibilities.

The 911 center operates through an interlocal agreement between Flathead County and the three incorporated cities in the county, with funding split on a population basis.

Discussing ways to increase the efficiency of Flathead County government, Scott said, “The first thing that comes to mind is expense.

“Second is essential services regarding health and safety.”

Third, he said, “is business and economic development which pays the taxes that supports the county.”

And fourth is “respectful land use and planning and zoning that takes into account the individual’s personal property rights.

Scott says Flathead County is “facing a crisis” because the county’s tax base is based on “previously inflated values” from 2008.

“In close to five years we’ll re-establish our property tax base on ad valorem taxes according to value,” he said. “There’s no question our market has decreased, 20 to 50 percent depending on the area. It’s not unrealistic to responsibly view our future during the next five to six years without realizing we will lose 30 to 40 percent of our tax base.”

Reporter Shelley Ridenour may be reached at 758-4439 or by email at sridenour@dailyinterlake.com.