Harris, 47, is one of three Republicans running for the commission seat being vacated by Commissioner Alan Hansen. That field will be narrowed at the Davis County Republican Convention.
Harris has spent much of his career in law enforcement working in the Davis County Sheriff's Department.
That, he believes, makes him uniquely qualified among the candidates to address public safety issues, especially since nearly half of Davis County's budget goes to the Sheriff's Office.
He currently works at Weber State University as an emergency care and rescue instructor in the paramedics program.
He's lived in Davis County most of his life and currently lives in Kaysville. He and his wife Kelly have three children, two grandchildren and are expecting two more grandchildren in July.
Harris said, "I've been a witness to the imperfections of current county government," "and I simply cannot stand idly by and watch these same practices repeated."
He said he shares the concerns of many Davis County residents regarding the inconsistencies in the way property taxes have been assessed and are gathered. "The issue needs to be quickly addressed before the good citizens of Davis County are taxed out of their homes."
He said taxpayers have a right and a responsibility to know where, how and why their tax dollars are being spent. "Government should be transparent so taxpayers can easily see their tax dollars at work."
In the past, Davis County has turned to private enterprise to provide services such as mental health and tourism. He said if the circumstances are right, such decisions are "reasonable and prudent."
Given his experience and knowledge of public service, Harris pledges to ensure public safety personnel in Davis County have the right equipment and training to safely perform the tasks they are assigned, work to give the sheriff more autonomy and control over his budget, and at the same time ensure accountability and work toward the continued implementation of a comprehensive plan for the response to and recovery from natural and man-made disasters in Davis County.
He also said he will work to enhance and strengthen inter- agency relationships and promote cooperation between agencies.
Harris said Davis County needs an aggressive and comprehensive economic development plan with specific actions, strategies and goals outlined. Economic Development is the key to not only keeping taxes low, but opening opportunities for tax cuts. "You cannot cut taxes without economic development."
He said he hasn't spent his career creating a public image. "I am a candidate that is one of the people, and the candidate that best represents the conservative traditions that make Davis County the best place to work and live."
mwilliams@davisclipper.com
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