Clark County Proposed Charter Amendment No. 24

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Statement For · David Stuebe

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Committee: John Jay, Chair

Better Information. Better Housing Decisions. For too many families, the dream of owning a home in Clark County is slipping further out of reach. This amendment ensures decisions affecting housing costs and housing supply are guided by greater transparency and better information before new land use and construction regulations are adopted. Understanding Impacts Before Acting This amendment does not dictate policy outcomes or prevent the County from adopting new regulations. It simply ensures elected officials and the public have reliable information about the potential impacts of important housing decisions before they are made. It applies only to discretionary decisions initiated by the County, not routine updates required by state law, focusing analysis where it matters while limiting unnecessary costs and delays. Planning for Clark County’s Future Clark County is growing, and the choices we make today will influence whether families, workers, and future generations can continue to find opportunity here. Housing decisions have real consequences for the cost and availability of homes. By identifying potential impacts before regulations are adopted, this amendment helps avoid unintended consequences that could raise housing costs, limit housing opportunities, or make it harder for people to afford a home in Clark County. An “Approved” vote supports transparent, accountable, and informed decision-making. Housing policy should be based on evidence and understanding, not guesswork. Families deserve to know how decisions made today could affect the cost and availability of housing tomorrow.

Rebuttal of argument against

Land use and development are among the most consequential decisions counties make, making the Charter an appropriate place to require transparency and accountability. Existing advisory boards do not analyze housing costs, while a similar requirement in Whatcom County has required no additional staff or monetary cost. Taxpayers bear the cost of poor housing decisions. Amendment 24 is not a cure-all, but a practical step to ensure Councilors consider housing costs and consequences before acting.

Statement Against · Irene Finley

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Committee: Chuck Green, Chair

This proposal attempts to address a pressing policy issue in the wrong place – the county charter. This amendment’s required reports would provide little benefit to the public, but the costs associated with creating each of them would be paid by taxpayers. Please vote No on Amendment 24. Micromanages Policy Process The Charter provides the framework for county government. Amendments not relating to the structure, organization, and governance of the county are not appropriate. This proposed amendment is an example of overreach and micromanagement. Housing and land use policy and priorities should be left to the Council, where current needs can be assessed at public hearings. The county already hears about how its decisions affect housing costs through the Development Engineering Advisory Board and the Planning Commission. Housing Affordability Not Caused by County Policy Home construction costs are outside of the county’s control. Construction engineering standards are driven largely by state and federal regulations. Local land use planning decisions, codes, and policies do not cause housing shortages. If they did, the rate of purchases by first time homebuyers and median-buyer households would be lower in Clark County than in other Washington counties. This is not the case. Not a solution, please vote no. The proponents of Amendment 24 state this amendment will help “reduce unintended cost increases” on housing. More analysis will not solve the problem of housing affordability. This amendment would cost taxpayers for issues the County cannot control–high interest rates and state and federal mandates. Vote No!

Rebuttal of argument for

This proposal doesn’t do anything to address housing affordability or the American dream of owning a home. Instead, it puts in the Charter what should be County Council policy decisions. Either there will be a report that is repurposed from analysis that already has been or is being done by county staff or a requirement to hire outside consultants before proposing a new regulation. This does not add transparency, it adds costly bureaucracy. Vote No!