Jefferson County Executive Says State of the County is Improving

County Executive said the state of Jefferson County is "improving."

"We've been in some very trying times, but we got through it." he said.

I'm really looking forward to 2012," Waller said Friday at a breakfast meeting of the newly named Jefferson County Growth Association (JCGA). The organization previously was known as the Jefferson County Growth and Development Association.

After a year in his position as executive, and the first year of the "new" county council, Waller said "We're charting a course for the future of the county."

He called for a few mid-course corrections, however, asking the council to act on a variety of proposals, one of which is a call for the council to authorize a vote on whether the county should have non-partisan elections for county offices. Currently, the sveen-member council and Waller sought election as Republicans.

Waller said calling for non-partisan elections is "the right thing to do,"  pointing out that municipal elections and school board elections are non-partisan already.

"Why should the county council positions be any different?" he said.

County Council Member Renee Reuter, R-2nd District, said she is personally opposed to non-partisan elections, but she said it would be up to the voters since county charter changes have to be approved by a ballot measure.

Of the call for non-partisan elective offices, County Council Chair Bob Boyer said simply, "I like it."

Waller also pledged to provide better support for the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department, to the extent of seeking a sales tax increase countywide to support law enforcement if necessary.

"We have to do something to take care of the sheriff's department," he said. "I don't know about you but I'm tired of being the meth capital of the world," although he also said meth activity is decreasing.

In calling for Jefferson County government to be more supportive of employment efforts , Waller noted that unemployment in the county is at 8.5 percent and "trending down."

"Our objective will be very simple - to enhance employment opportunities," he said.

Although Waller provided no specifics, he said the county should work more closely with Jefferson College on job training programs.

Part of the county's involvement in training programs could be a college scholarship program for Jefferson County high school students.

"The only way to invest in your kids is to invest in their future," he said, before calling on the county council to fund a college scholarship program. He also called on businesses to consider ways to fund scholarships as well."

Waller reported some good economic news at Friday's meeting, citing 2011 as "the best year ever" for sales tax receipts.

"Shop Jefferson County" is a visible marketing program by ther JCGA.

"'Shop Jefferson County' is really taking hold," he said. "We're at the start of some great things," Waller said. "Jefferson County is stretched very thin, but we know there are better days ahead."

The City of Arnold showed signs of similar economic improvement with the opening of more than 20 new businesses within the last 13 months.

Some of the new businesses included , Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt, and Panda Express.

In the coming months, along Hwy. 141 and near Jeffco Boulevard, a Starbucks cafe is expected to open and contractors hope to begin building a new CVS Pharmacy.

Editor's Note: ArnoldPatch Editor Michael de los Reyes contributed to this article.