THE ELECTRIC, County Commission candidate: Don Ryan

Don is from Oregon. He holds a bachelor's degree in communications from Oregon State University. He lives in the Portland area with his wife and their children.

Don is a former clerk, recorder, and election administrator. 

Don Ryan currently serves as a Cascade County Commissioner in District 3. He previously served in the Montana State Senate and on the Great Falls Public School Board.

During his 2022 campaign, believed the county performing required services efficiently was a major challenge facing the county.

Supports the Montana C-PACE (Commercial Property Assessed Capital Enhancements) program in Cascade County.

Supported the establishment of the Montana C-PACE (Commercial Property Assessed Capital Enhancements) program in Cascade County.

As a commissioner, voted to approve a contract for emergency repairs to the Sun River.

- During his 2022 campaign, believed the county performing required services efficiently was a major challenge facing the county.
- Supported the establishment of the Montana C-PACE (Commercial Property Assessed Capital Enhancements) program in Cascade County.
- As a commissioner, voted to approve a contract for emergency repairs to the Sun River.

Public Services

As of October 3, 2024, Don Ryan’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Energy & the Environment

During his 2022 campaign, believed ensuring tax dollars were spent wisely was one of the major challenges facing the county.

- During his 2022 campaign, believed ensuring tax dollars were spent wisely was one of the major challenges facing the county.

Economy

During his 2022 campaign, believed ensuring Cascade County was "a safe place" for business growth and to raise a family was a major challenge in the county.

- During his 2022 campaign, believed ensuring Cascade County was "a safe place" for business growth and to raise a family was a major challenge in the county.

Public Safety

Housing & Urban Development

Transportation & Infrastructure

Candidate website

As a commissioner, voted to amend zoning regulations for medical marijuana, allowing its use only in specific industrial zones.

- As a commissioner, voted to amend zoning regulations for medical marijuana, allowing its use only in specific industrial zones.

Healthcare

Don Ryan

Don is from Oregon. He earned a bachelor's degree in communications from Oregon State University. He lives in the Portland area with his wife and their children.

Don Ryan is a Cascade County Commissioner. He has previously served in the Montana State Senate and on the Great Falls Public School Board.

As of October 7, 2024, Don Ryan’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports implementing Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) financing in Cascade County.

Supports funding for public services, including repainting the jockey building at Expo Park for $8,000.

Supports funding public services, including adding a water system to the Railroad Museum at Expo Park for $16,000.

Supports public services that enhance community well-being, including libraries, parks, and recreational facilities.

Believes improving the quality of life in Cascade County is important.

Supports providing loans for energy-efficiency projects and expansions.

Supports funding for Disaster and Emergency Services, including radio replacement.

Supports awarding funding to support economic development.

Supports the use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to benefit Cascade County.

Supports economic policies that foster growth, job creation, and financial stability.

Supports policies that allow property tax assessments to be agreed upon by taxpayers.

Supports financing projects through third-party lenders, with debt repaid by the Montana Facilities Finance Authority and collected via property taxes.

Supports the Montana C-PACE (Commercial Property Assessed Capital Enhancements) program, which allows property owners to finance energy-efficient upgrades through a voluntary assessment on their property tax bill.

Supports the allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to support local economic development initiatives.

Supports allocating $1,500,000 for a new evidence storage building for the Cascade County Sheriff's Office.

Believes in allocating funds for COVID-19 response, as demonstrated by the $90,000 expenditure for the Adult Detention Center's COVID response costs.

Believes in maintaining financial accountability for public safety expenditures, citing a cost of $27,361 for COVID-19 personal protective equipment (PPE) in 2021.

Promises to be fair and listen to all sides when making decisions.

Supports allocating federal funds to benefit multiple agencies for public safety.

Believes Cascade County has fewer dispensaries than other parts of the state.

Supports funding for emergency services, including a self-loading cot system for ambulances.

Supports funding for supportive housing projects, such as the $650,000 investment in the Baatz Building through NeighborWorks Great Falls.

Supports allocating funds for housing and urban development projects, such as adding a shower trailer at Expo Park for $57,000.

Supports conservation efforts while helping commercial properties improve revenue and avoid liens, emphasizing that such improvements are requested and paid for by property owners.

Supports funding for housing improvements, such as replacing old boiler systems with baseboard zone heating at the Regina Apartments to meet building codes.

Supports investing in housing and urban development projects, such as replacing the roof, shed, gutters, and insulation for the Alliance for Youth.

Supports funding for Stockett Water and Sewer to replace the chlorinator building and add a security fence.

Supports investing in property purchases to foster economic growth, as demonstrated by the $1,000,000 investment in the AgriTech Park by the Great Falls Development Authority.

Supports emergency repairs to the Sun River.

Believes experience is crucial for securing funding for programs in Cascade County.

Supports funding for sewer upgrades in Black Eagle.

Supports funding for infrastructure projects, including the replacement of water mains and service lines.

Supports replacing all exterior doors and windows with energy efficient items at the McLaughlin Research Institute, allocating $150,000 for the project.

Supports funding for infrastructure repairs, such as replacing a well damaged by an earthquake for Windy Acres Water Users.

Supports funding for water projects, including replacing two wells and relining concrete storage tanks.

Supports funding for COVID-19 response, with the Cascade County Health Department incurring costs of $260,300.

- County Commissioners create and pass laws at the county level. These laws show up in tangible ways, such as determining how much you pay in property taxes, providing recreational amenities, and maintaining county property.
- County Commissioners are responsible for preparing and passing the county budget. The budget determines how much funding goes to various public services, such as public transportation, law enforcement, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners oversee the administrative duties of your county’s government, such as personnel management, communications, and appointments for advisory boards.
- County Commissioners in Montana are typically elected to 6-year terms in staggered years. Counties may change the Commissioners' term length if they wish. Typically, you only vote for the County Commissioner that represents your county commission district. 