Meet the candidates for Kane County Commission

4 hours ago

9 min read

KANE COUNTY — With the November 3 general election approaching, candidates seeking seats on the Kane County Commission shared their thoughts on issues facing county government in responses to questions from the Southern Utah News. Each candidate was asked the same four questions covering county priorities, growth, economic development and local government decisions. Responses are presented in alphabetical order by candidate surname and printed largely as submitted, with light editing for clarity, grammar, Associated Press style and length. The views and opinions expressed are those of the candidates.

Kane County Commission — Seat A

What do you believe is the most pressing issue facing Kane County over the next four years, and what specific actions would you take as a commissioner to address it? What county spending or priorities, if any, would you change to accomplish that?

Matthew Fisher

My belief is that there are several, not just one, pressing issues facing Kane County. The most pressing issue I would keep at the forefront of my term is the kitchen-table economics of our citizens.

Prices are high today, and wage growth is mostly flat. I would look to shore up our local economy. We need more diversification in our businesses. Specifically, I would look to solicit light manufacturing and remote workforce businesses to locate here.

Included in this perspective is the lack of affordable and attainable housing. I would look to bring stakeholders into discussions regarding development and how we can provide affordable housing so that all parties are satisfied with their participation in the process.

I will stress transparency with the county budget and believe we should be attempting to cut spending, cut taxes and create an official “rainy day” fund.

Patty Kubeja

My biggest concern is being able to continue providing the services we do without having to raise property taxes. Kane County hasn’t raised property taxes in almost 20 years, yet the cost of everything has increased, especially fuel and employee salaries and benefits.

Kane County is already lean in the services provided to our residents. My goal is to continue providing the current level of services to Kane County residents without having to raise property taxes.

I wouldn’t change any priorities at this time. Kane County elected officials and department heads are judicious with spending and limit expenditures whenever possible.

Kane County faces competing demands involving housing, development, infrastructure and preservation of its rural character. How should the county balance these interests, and what changes, if any, would you support in county land-use policies?

Matthew Fisher

Follow the general plan! I don’t consider it an advisory document.

We need to enforce our rights as a legislative authority and as citizens to ensure local control over planning and zoning regulations and maintain the rural character of Kane County.

Proactively counter state overreach into local land use issues (e.g., SB 258 and the legislation created by that bill) by responding quickly to each year’s legislative session.

I believe we should pass a land-use ordinance now that clearly establishes guardrails regarding data centers to stay ahead of any future applications for them in Kane County.

We need to make a long-term plan to be able to financially and prudently meet county infrastructure obligations, especially county roads.

Patty Kubeja

It is a very delicate balance between property rights and regulating land use in Kane County. Our biggest challenge is Utah legislators taking away local county control concerning land-use decisions. If we have a no growth policy, the state will continue to have an excuse to take over land-use decisions.

I believe Kane County has the right land use policies in place to allow higher-density housing when appropriate, allow property owners a broad range of uses depending on zoning and allow continued residential housing development.

Tourism is a major part of Kane County’s economy, but it also creates challenges and exposes local businesses to fluctuations in visitor spending. What should the county do to strengthen and diversify its economy while supporting existing businesses and residents?

Matthew Fisher

We need the revenue and jobs created by tourism dollars. We are experiencing headwinds with tourism from national politics and the instability directly caused by that, so we need to focus locally on what we can do to support our tourism industry and diversify away from it at the same time.

I support dark-sky ordinances for new construction, and I wholeheartedly support the construction of the Stellar Vista Observatory.

We need to work proactively with our towns, unincorporated areas and Kanab City to look for the best economic fits for each community, with the least negative impact. We need to focus on job growth for our citizens.

Patty Kubeja

Kane County does need a diverse economic base and currently continues to support a variety of industries that bring that diversity to our county.

We are challenged by decisions beyond our control at the federal level, such as limited timber sales, mining and reduced grazing allotments.

Tourism will always be the backbone of Kane County’s economy because of our location and natural beauty. Kane County continues to rely on entrepreneurs and business owners with dreams and visions to provide a magical place where visitors come to visit and stay.

Business-friendly land-use ordinances also allow business owners to diversify.

Describe a county policy or decision you disagree with. What would you have done differently, and why?

Matthew Fisher

Kane County failed its citizens in providing structural fire protection to homeowners and businesses in the county. Past commissioners fought tooth and nail to avoid finding an adequate solution to this very fundamental right. We all deserve to believe that EMS, law enforcement and fi re protection will arrive if needed.

My belief is that creating special service districts can work in certain instances, but we need to have countywide fire services. I support the recommendations presented by the Matrix Consulting Group this year, which significant tax dollars were spent to obtain.

Basically, this current commission threw those dollars in the trash with its September 15, 2026, cover letter when the report was released.

Costs and fees will be significant factors, as will service coverage, but we can rise to meet this important need appropriately in a countywide model. Effort, ingenuity and teamwork are what it will take.

Patty Kubeja

Things are going well, and I will continue to make the best decisions possible based on the facts and circumstances presented.

Kane County Commission — Seat B

What do you believe is the most pressing issue facing Kane County over the next four years, and what specific actions would you take as a commissioner to address it? What county spending or priorities, if any, would you change to accomplish that?

Bo Folsom

Core services must be the priority, including building reserves and implementing proactive projects that improve safety and quality of life while lowering total life-cycle costs.

The county has responsibility for road maintenance, yet the commission acknowledges it doesn’t have a plan or the funds to accomplish what is needed. Inadequate road and infrastructure maintenance translates to urgent safety and downstream budgetary concerns. We can remain reactive, or we can lean forward.

I would not support any increase in local taxes. Rather, I would seek state and federal assistance to address adequate ingress and egress for critical roads and focus on completing existing rights-of-way to assure access and emergency egress.

I am open to rightsizing county government, improving internal efficiencies and cross-training employees to better serve constituents. While maintaining overall payroll, I’d like to see a county administrator position established to shepherd government initiatives.

Celeste Meyeres

These are all such great questions. My top priority is always to honor voters by following my oath of office, which is to support, defend and obey the constitutions and discharge the duties of my office with fidelity.

What that actually looks like on the ground: With 93 percent of the land in Kane County under federal or state control, I continually fight (and often win!) to put power, authority and decisions back in local hands so that our citizens don’t have to bear the burdens of outside policies.

Some current outside policies I’m addressing include decreased access to the east entrance of Zion, a new, unaccountable municipality east of Kanab and barriers to allowing proper, time-tested forest management for wildfire prevention.

I’m actively engaged on each of these issues and can reasonably expect great odds of continued successful outcomes based on my communication, relationships and effectiveness.

Bo Folsom

Kane County is comprised of multiple communities, and our approach should acknowledge those distinctions. With forward planning, we can guide growth with integrity while preserving the heritage and legacy that make it special.

Affordable housing is essential to both accommodate a thriving workforce for our businesses and keep our kids from being priced out of their own neighborhoods. I support progressive impact fees, infrastructure buy-in and set-asides for new developments to assure growth is a net benefit for all, not just the wealthy developer. Appropriate zoning and guidelines need to be put in place proactively to assure preservation of the heritage that makes this place so unique.

Quality, meaningful employment is a component in lifting the local economy. Kane County should lean into its natural beauty and nurture the arts, as well as education and remote work opportunities.

Celeste Meyeres

I’ll share the response I gave earlier this year, during the spring primary election, which I was very grateful to have won, thanks to voter support:

“Balance is key! One consideration is that the rights of both existing and new neighbors matter. I tend toward a free-market approach, but only if impacts to surrounding properties can be alleviated. That’s why I’m such a fighter against preliminary municipalities such as Willow/Kanab 600, due to their fundamental unfairness and lack of balance! We’ll keep fighting on that and are set up for success in 2027!

“Fifty-six percent of 2026 tax revenues from tourism can be used to mitigate the impacts of visitors. This commission invests the majority of that fund in keeping our county roads safe and passable, and most of the remainder in supporting EMS. This framework translates to built-in accountability and gets us back to basics.”

Bo Folsom

Our tourism sector’s extreme seasonality will persist unless it is directly addressed. From my marketing background, it’s not clear why we aren’t leveraging relatively mild winters as a feature to draw visitors from the Las Vegas and Salt Lake City metro areas initially, with broader reach to come.

Establishing renowned galleries and bed-and-breakfasts in the Glendale-to-Kanab corridor, with winter excursions to East Zion and Duck Creek Village, would mitigate the sector’s seasonality. Adding performing arts and warm, welcoming “third spaces” would further enhance winter tourism.

Ultimately, the market will determine what businesses our communities can sustain. I do not believe in taxpayer giveaways or local government funded incentives. However, it is fully appropriate for local leadership to bring attention to what Kane County can offer and pitch mutually beneficial endeavors.

TV, film and online production bring revenue and awareness to the region, while remote learning and remote work also leverage our heritage and legacy.

Celeste Meyeres

This question absolutely nails our situation here in Kane County. I grew up in a small-business family, and my husband, Nicholas, and I are microbusiness owners, including our bed-and-breakfast, where we welcome visitors from all over the world.

I believe in an attitude of abundance. I’m thankful to currently have the economic development commission assignment so that I can put my passion, relationships, skills and more than 20 years of experience with business in Kane County toward defending and expanding opportunities for others.

People need to be able to live, work and raise families here. It’s necessary for us to have a diverse portfolio of industries so that we can weather the inevitable fluctuations.

I lead out on restoring a balance of livelihoods. If we are mindful, then there’s room to refocus on agriculture, timber, minerals and artisan manufacturing while still respecting and maintaining what we’ve already built.

Describe a county policy or decision you disagree with. What would you have done differently, and why?

Bo Folsom

1. I support local law enforcement and the law. The commission voted to authorize an application for up to $800,000 in Department of Justice funding, earmarked for jail improvements and officer equipment, connected to the county’s cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

While an $800,000 grant is tempting, the associated liability to both the county and the impact on individual local officers could far exceed that amount if those officers are on-site or otherwise involved in an ICE operation gone wrong. The potential financial impact on taxpayers through litigation, coupled with the long-term risks to local law enforcement officers’ personal lives and livelihoods, outweighs the upfront benefit. I would have voted against this authorization.

2. On January 10, 2023, the two newly elected commissioners voted to give themselves an 8.7 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) raise. I would have joined the commission chair in voting against it, preserving those funds for urgent core services.

Celeste Meyeres

It’s expected and inevitable that we won’t always get our way. What’s important is that proper, transparent process is followed.

If I have to give an example of when I was outvoted and would have preferred a different outcome, it was in setting up the new structural fire response district east of Kanab. Shortly before the new service district was finalized, the commission received requests to delay. A vote was taken, and I was in the minority in feeling ready to form the district. The district was postponed for more than a year.

My perspective is that the cost of fire response incurred by district residents and the relationship with service-providing entities, such as Kanab, would have been better had there not been that delay.

I have a saying: Unnecessary hesitation is the enemy of success. However, what’s done is done, and we’ll all move forward as best we can.