Missoula City Club Hosts County Commissioner Debate

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - The Missoula City Club monthly luncheon meeting at the Double Tree Edgewater on Tuesday featured a debate between incumbent Democrat Missoula County Commissioner Josh Slotnick and his challenger Republican Kris Culdice.

Opening remarks by the candidates began with Josh Slotnick, who made it clear that he is definitely a part of Missoula.

Josh Slotnick and Kris Culdice Debated at City Club Luncheon

“I am absolutely from this place,” began Slotnick. "More importantly, I am of this place, not just that I went to the U of M, but all of the work of my life, Garden City Harvest, the PEAS Farm, 30 years of a family business, and being a county commissioner, all of these things happened by the grace of this place. Deep to my bones, I am here and always will be.”

Culdice emphasized his background in business.

Both Culdice and Slotnick Have Business Owning Experience

“Business is what I look at,” began Culdice. “I look at budgets, I look at numbers, and what I see here locally upsets me, because I don't think our money's being spent properly, and as a taxpayer, as a property owner, I want to see my money being used properly, so that's the reason why I'm running.”

Slotnick said being a county commissioner has pushed him into becoming an expert, especially as he attempts to help lower property taxes.

“I made it my job to become an expert on this really difficult issue, and then I sought out people who were effective and worked alongside them, and I expect we'll see real change,” he said. “It might not happen. This session might take another two years, but we're going to get there, and I'm going to die trying”

READ MORE: Missoula County's Updated Floodplain Maps: What You Need To Know

The Commissioners Each Serve Six-Year Terms

Culdice, who favors selling Marshall Mountain, said he wants to help make Missoula County ‘a beacon’ to the rest of the state for fiscal responsibility.

“If it stays current, or things (property values) continue to go up, yes, you will see an increase in your property taxes,” he said. “I would like to stabilize Missoula County and show the state what we can do here in Missoula County and stand as a beacon of hope, so that the governor, whether it's Greg or another governor, can look at us and say, ‘Hey, we need to fix the property tax in all of Montana and not have it go up like it is right now’.”

The county commissioners serve six-year terms. The other two commissioners are Dave Strohmaier and Juanita Vero.