CHEYENNE, Wyo. — In this edition of “Meet the Candidates,” Austin Rodemaker shares with Cap City News how he envisions governing Laramie County if elected as a county commissioner. Rodemaker is one of seven people running for commissioner.
The following are responses that Rodemaker shared with Cap City News. To view the Q&As of other candidates who have also submitted answers to us, click here.
What are your strategies for promoting economic development and job creation in Laramie County?
You will see a common theme in my answers that centers around collaboration. The commission is a team of individuals and that team needs to engage with outside entities and experts in their respective fields. My strategy is to develop a close working relationship with entities like Cheyenne LEADS, the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce, etc. to identify economic opportunities. It is important that we identify the industries that fit Laramie County best and work together to attract those opportunities to the community. If we can attract the right type of industries and are specific in what we are looking for, the job creation will follow.
How do you plan to improve and maintain essential county services and infrastructure, including roads, healthcare, and public safety?
I always say that public safety is of paramount importance to me. If my house is on fire, I certainly want our firefighters to show up because I have neither the expertise nor the equipment to fight the fire. In that little quip is how I plan to focus on that. It requires sitting down with entities like the LCFA, the Sheriff’s Office, Public Works, etc. and identifying where there are shortfalls in funding, equipment, training and working the budget to ensure that our county offices are properly equipped so they can perform their job at the highest, most effective level.
What is your approach to managing the county’s budget and ensuring fiscal responsibility while meeting the needs of the community?
I am very much a conservative when it comes to managing money. However, being a conservative does not mean holding onto funding. It means being judicious in spending and looking for high return on investment opportunities. When the county spends money, it is an investment in the community. We need to ensure that the public is getting the best return for their tax dollar. It is the commission’s job to identify where there may be gaps in services, shortfalls in the budget, and where spending might be over what is needed. From there, the commission (as a team) works to ensure that all bases are covered, where we can allocate additional dollars, and find ways to maximize the output.
How will you address land use planning and environmental sustainability to balance growth with conservation in Laramie County?
The AMEC report that covers our water needs for 2010–2060 should still be the guiding document for Laramie County when it comes to balancing growth opportunities and protecting our water. In my conversations with members of the county, water continues to be a hot topic. The commission cannot and should not stand in the way of growth. However, the focus should be sustainable growth. This includes not only bringing in the right type of industries, but also growing at a rate that ensures the future of our resources is protected.
How do you intend to engage with the community and ensure transparency in the decision-making process of the County Commission?
With any public office, you are a public servant. I take that title very seriously. It is impossible to please everyone, so it comes down to ensuring the county is being moved in the right direction and being willing to take the heat when you upset someone. I am always willing to answer for any decision and discuss other potential options. The best approach is a team approach, and the constituents are a part of that team.
Is there anything else you’d like voters to know about you?
I want the people of Laramie County to know that I certainly do not know everything, despite what I may have thought when I was a teenager. My approach is simple: engage with experts, the community, and my fellow commissioners. Every decision needs to be evaluated with a cost–benefit analysis to ensure we maximize our return on investment. If elected, I will bring vigor to the commission. I will also bring a desire to learn as much as I can, prior to making decisions. I think that is what is most important for the commission, a desire to work and a desire to learn.
