The Jefferson Review Voters Guide

Special Edition

The Jefferson Review Voters Guide is designed to help voters hear directly from the candidates seeking to represent Jefferson County. Candidate answers are published as submitted so readers can compare responses in each race.

Editor’s Note: Candidate responses are not endorsements by The Jefferson Review. Answers are provided by the candidates and are shared for voter information.

Misty Whetstone

Political Party Affiliation: Republican

Short Candidate Bio

Jefferson County is home. I'm running for County Council District 5 because I believe government should be transparent, accessible, and accountable to the people it serves.

Why are you running for this office?

I am running because I believe Jefferson County deserves leaders who listen, communicate openly, and put people first. As a lifelong resident, business owner, and taxpayer, I understand the importance of responsible spending, transparency, and planning for the future. If elected, I will work to improve communication between county government and the people it serves, support responsible growth with the infrastructure to support it, protect our quality of life, and make decisions based on what is best for our community—not special interests. I am not a career politician. I am your neighbor, and I will work hard to earn your trust by being accessible, accountable, and focused on the needs of the citizens of District 5 and all of Jefferson County.

What experience best prepares you to serve in this role?

I am not a career politician. I am a lifelong Jefferson County resident who has built businesses, created jobs, and worked hard to serve my community. I believe government should listen to its citizens, spend taxpayer dollars responsibly, and make decisions with honesty and transparency.

What is the most important issue facing Jefferson County right now?

I believe the biggest threat to Jefferson County's quality of life is growth without proper planning or public input. We all want our county to prosper, but growth should never come at the expense of our farmland, natural resources, infrastructure, or the character of our communities. When decisions are rushed or made without fully listening to residents, trust in government suffers. Jefferson County can grow while still protecting what makes it a great place to live. That means investing in roads, public safety, and infrastructure before approving major developments, preserving our natural resources, and ensuring citizens have a meaningful voice in the decision-making process. Our quality of life depends on responsible leadership that plans for the future, values transparency, and remembers that government exists to serve the people—not the other way around.

What is one specific thing you would like to accomplish during your term?

If elected, one of my top priorities will be helping residents better understand how county government works. Too often, people don't get involved because they don't know what an agenda means, what the Unified Development Order (UDO) is, or how county decisions affect their daily lives. I want to improve communication by explaining county issues in plain language and giving residents the information they need to participate before important decisions are made. An informed community is an engaged community, and I believe government has a responsibility not only to be transparent, but also to be understandable and accessible. Better communication leads to better decisions and stronger public trust.

How would you describe your approach to serving taxpayers?

Taxpayer dollars are not the government's money—they belong to the people who earned them. My approach is to treat every tax dollar with the same care and accountability I use when managing my own household and businesses. County government should focus on essential services, make responsible financial decisions, and ensure taxpayers receive real value for their investment. I believe in transparency, careful budgeting, and asking whether every expenditure is necessary and in the best interest of our residents. Taxpayers deserve a government that is fiscally responsible, accountable, and always remembers who it works for.

What district or countywide concerns are you hearing most often from residents?

I believe the biggest threat to Jefferson County's quality of life is when residents lose confidence that their voices matter. Time and again, I hear people say they don't feel informed, don't understand how county government works, or don't believe they are being heard before major decisions are made. That lack of trust affects every issue, from development and infrastructure to spending and public safety. Government should educate, communicate, and listen—not simply meet minimum legal requirements. When residents understand what is happening and have a meaningful opportunity to participate, better decisions are made. We can protect Jefferson County's quality of life by rebuilding trust through transparency, plain- language communication, responsible planning, and genuine public engagement.

How should the County Council approach zoning, land use, and development decisions?

The County Council should approach zoning, land use, and development by putting the people of Jefferson County first. The long-term vision for our county should come from the residents who live, work, raise their families, and invest in this community—not be developed without meaningful public involvement. The role of elected officials and county staff is to listen, provide accurate information, evaluate the facts, and carry out that community vision responsibly. Every proposal should be evaluated for its impact on infrastructure, water resources, public safety, neighboring property owners, and our quality of life. Growth should be thoughtful, transparent, and reflect the values and priorities of the people who call Jefferson County home. We were elected to serve our residents, not to decide their future without them.

What standards should council members use when weighing staff recommendations, public opposition, and property owner rights?

Council members have a responsibility to carefully weigh all three. Property owners have important rights that deserve respect, county staff provide valuable professional expertise, and residents offer local knowledge and perspective that cannot be overlooked. Staff recommendations should inform decisions, but they should not determine them. Likewise, public opposition should be thoughtfully considered by understanding the reasons behind those concerns, not simply counting the number of people for or against a proposal. My responsibility as a council member is to listen, ask difficult questions, evaluate the facts, and make decisions that are fair, legally sound, and in the long-term best interests of Jefferson County. Above all, I believe elected officials should remember that they work for the people and should never stop listening to those they represent.

How would you approach the county budget and spending oversight?

I believe county government has a responsibility to provide quality services while being a good steward of taxpayer dollars. Families across Jefferson County have had to adjust their budgets because of rising costs, and government should show that same level of responsibility. Before considering new taxes or fees, we should look for ways to improve efficiency, eliminate unnecessary spending, and make better use of the resources we already have. My goal is not to reduce essential services, but to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and effectively. Every dollar the county spends came from someone who worked hard to earn it, and we have a responsibility to respect that by delivering quality services while living within our means.

What role should the council play in holding county departments accountable?

The County Council has a responsibility to provide oversight, ensure accountability, and make sure county departments are serving the public effectively. That means asking questions, reviewing budgets and performance, listening to residents, and making sure taxpayer dollars are being used wisely. Department leaders should have the tools they need to succeed, but they should also be accountable for results, transparency, and responsible use of public resources. I believe in working collaboratively with county staff while remembering that both elected officials and county employees ultimately work for the people of Jefferson County. Accountability is not about assigning blame—it's about continuously improving services, solving problems, and maintaining the public's trust.

How should the council balance private property rights with the concerns of nearby residents?

Private property rights are one of our most important freedoms and should always be respected. At the same time, property owners do not exist in isolation. Major land use decisions can affect neighboring property owners, infrastructure, public safety, natural resources, and the overall character of a community. The County Council's responsibility is to balance those interests fairly by listening to everyone involved, reviewing the facts, following the law, and considering the long-term impact of each decision. No two situations are exactly alike, which is why every proposal deserves careful consideration. I believe the goal should be to protect individual property rights while also protecting the rights of neighboring residents and preserving the quality of life that makes Jefferson County a great place to live.

Would you support stronger public notice or public explanation requirements for major land-use decisions?

Yes. I support stronger public notice and, just as importantly, clearer public explanations for major land- use decisions. Simply posting a legal notice or a lengthy technical document is not enough if the average resident cannot understand what is being proposed or how it could affect their family, property, or community. Residents deserve timely, plain-language information that explains what is changing, why it is being proposed, and what the potential impacts may be. I also believe citizens should have meaningful opportunities to ask questions and provide input before major decisions are made. Better communication builds trust, encourages public participation, and leads to better decisions for Jefferson County.

What would make you an effective representative for your district?

I believe I would be an effective representative because I will always remember who I work for—the people of Jefferson County. I am a lifelong resident, business owner, and taxpayer who understands the challenges our community faces. I believe in listening before making decisions, communicating in plain language, and being accessible to the people I represent. My goal is to help residents better understand county government so they can be informed and involved in decisions that affect their lives. I will approach every issue with an open mind, ask tough questions, and make decisions based on facts, fairness, and the long-term interests of our community. I am not running to tell people what they should want—I am running to represent their voice.

Would you support sewer and/or water service consolidation in the county? Why or Why not?

I believe every proposal involving sewer or water service should be evaluated on its own merits. My priorities are protecting reliable service, keeping rates affordable, safeguarding our water resources, and ensuring decisions truly benefit Jefferson County residents. I also believe property owners with safe, functioning private wells should have a choice whenever practical, rather than being required to connect to a public system without a clear public health or safety need. Water is one of our county's most valuable resources, and decisions affecting it should be transparent, supported by facts, and include meaningful public input. Before any consolidation or expansion is approved, residents deserve to know the costs, benefits, long-term impacts, and available alternatives.

Voters Guide Notice: This candidate profile is not a paid advertisement. Candidate responses are published as part of The Jefferson Review Candidate Voter Guide and are presented in the candidate’s own words.

The opinions and statements expressed above are solely those of the candidate or campaign and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Jefferson Review, its staff, sponsors, or partners. Publication of a candidate response does not constitute an endorsement.

Candidate responses were submitted through The Jefferson Review Candidate Voter Guide questionnaire. Responses are presented in the candidate’s own words and have not been rewritten by The Jefferson Review. Formatting may be adjusted for spacing, readability, or display.

Questionnaire Note: Candidates were invited to respond to the same questionnaire for this office. If a question was left blank, The Jefferson Review may mark that answer as “No response provided.”