Rooted in Service.
Growing Our Future.
Chris Johnson for Blaine County Commissioner
Get to know Chris
Chris Johnson is from Bellevue, Idaho and earned a BA from the University of Colorado in Geography and Environmental Studies and has an Associate's Certificate in Homeland Security and Emergency Management. He has worked in water conservation and water quality for the last 10 years and has been with Idaho Rural Water Association since 2019.
Chris joined the City of Bellevue Planning and Zoning commission in 2016. He was elected to City council in 2020 and appointed Mayor in 2023. He served as the Blaine Soil and Water Conservation District Chair from 2021-2023.
He Joined the Army in 1996 and served on active duty and in the National Guard until 2013. He served in the 2nd Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment, 2nd Battalion 7th Cavalry Regiment and the 41st Infantry Brigade. Completing two tours in Iraq from 2004-2005 and 2009-2010 his awards include Senior Parachutist Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Ranger Tab, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, and a Presidential Unit Citation.
Upon completing his degree he took a job with Sanborn Mapping Company and spent six months in Doha Qatar as a team lead on a GIS Database project for Qatar Petroleum. He returned home to Colorado Springs and was an assistant surveyor for a few months assisting on a project widening I70 and the installation of a couple new bridges. Prior to moving to Idaho he worked for the Bureau of Land Management in their Canon City Field office as a OHV trail team leader clearing and repairing trails. In 2015 Chris accepted a position as a Soil Conservation Technician in the Shoshone field office assisting farmers and ranchers in Blaine, Lincoln, and Jerome Counties with irrigation improvement and soil health projects.
Chris grew up in North Idaho outside of Post Falls and has also lived in Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Colorado. He returned to Idaho in 2015. He and his wife purchased their home in Bellevue in 2016.
Chris’ top issues
Support of county-wide infrastructure improvements
Through long-Term Planning we need to identify our project priorities when developing our comprehensive infrastructure plans. Anticipating growth, environmental challenges and taking a strategic approach we can ensure that our investments align with the counties evolving needs and priorities.
Opening community engagement and collaboration, we should continue to develop Public-Private Partnerships to leverage capital investment and improve project efficiency and solicit feedback from residents in the decision-making process.
As we determine project priorities, we need to consider community needs, economic impact, environmental concerns and many other factors. We need to work with our communities, stakeholders and experts to assess and prioritize infrastructure initiatives.
I have worked hard to assist the City of Bellevue with its infrastructure challenges along with many other municipalities and districts around the state. I have experience with water, wastewater, storm water along with road and bridge projects.
I have worked in and with many state and federal agencies. I understand there is a process and steps to make projects successful which include public engagement, meeting the requirements for permitting and compliance, identifying funding opportunities and working with regulators to meet the necessary action items to ensure a more streamlined process.
Conservation resource stewardship
I believe in responsible management and protection of our natural resources to ensure that they are sustainable for current and future generations. We need to assess and implement principles and practices that are aimed at preserving our open spaces, biodiversity, and multiple uses from recreation to agriculture. Water, soil and air quality are essential resources, and we must start following best management practices to ensure that we are preventing further degradation to our environment and ecosystems.
We need to enhance our water efficiency, pollution prevention and our watershed management practices. We need to continue to improve and support our water conservation practices, water reuse and protect our wetlands, riparian areas, and aquatic ecosystems. This is essential to ensure our water availability for domestic use, recreation and agriculture needs.
I want to promote community engagement and education to raise awareness about environmental issues, empower local stakeholders, and foster a culture of conservation. We can address climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and building resilience to climate impacts. This may involve adopting renewable energy technologies and supporting community-based adaptation initiatives.
It is essential to develop environmental sustainability, safeguard natural resources, and ensure the well-being of both ecosystems and human communities while providing the existing level of services the County currently provides.
Leadership and thoughtful implemented action
I want to develop specific, measurable and achievable goals for the County that align with the values of our communities which are transparent and provide direction for both our staff and residents.
As the county grows, we need to ensure that we involve key stakeholders, partners and have buy-in from our residents as we develop our future vision and goals.
We need to foster open communication channels, listen to feedback, and address concerns promptly to keep everyone aligned and motivated.
I want to ensure that we build high-performing teams by recruiting diverse talents, fostering a positive work culture, and empowering team members to take ownership of their roles, responsibilities while with providing support, mentorship, and opportunities for growth and development throughout the county.
I will do my best to make informed decisions and solve problems effectively by gathering relevant information, analyzing data, considering different perspectives, and weighing potential risks and benefits.
“As our county commissioners face the growing challenges of prioritizing and allocating taxpayer resources to infrastructure projects and smart growth across our county, Chris will be a tremendous asset to our community as a commissioner.”
—Dan Turner, north valley resident.
Vote for Chris Johnson on May 21!
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