Most of us head into the new year with a personal list: drink more water (can do), get better at saying “no” (not seeing the happen), finally clean out the garage (eh… 50/50 on happening).

But this year, I’ve got a different kind of list.

It’s not just about personal improvement. It’s about where we’re headed as a county. It’s about what kind of place we want to call home in 2026 and beyond, and what it’s going to take for all of us to get there.

Here are some priorities I believe we can move forward on together in the coming year.

1. Invest in What Actually Works

Too often we wait until something “breaks”. A culvert collapses, a road washes out, a power line sparks a fire, a parking lot at a certain lake has such 'apocalyptic' overcrowding’ locals and tourists alike, stop trying… and then we scramble.

We need to shift from reaction to prevention. That means allocating funds to update aging infrastructure before it fails. It means planning ahead for wildfire season before insurance companies drop entire zip codes. It means building a strong Office of Emergency Services that doesn’t rely on last-minute grants or suffer from volunteer burnout.

We do not need gold plated solutions. We need functional, durable basics that serve people every day, roads that are safe, culverts that work, signage that helps, emergency plans that are clear.

Let’s stop asking what it costs to prepare, and start asking what it costs NOT to.

2. Support Local Businesses and Rural Workers

If you’ve ever worked construction, ag, tourism, or hospitality around here, you know those shoulder seasons and even winter can be brutal. Jobs dry up. Hours get cut. Tips disappear.

A lot of small businesses and working families across District Three live right on the edge from September to April. And when a small shop closes or a contractor leaves the area, it is not just bad for them, it is bad for all of us.

County government has a role to play here. Whether that’s through seasonal incentives, streamlined permit processes, more aggressive tourism marketing in the off-season, or just getting out of the way when people are trying to make an honest living.

Economic development should not just be a buzzword. First off, it should be a department in our county. Second, it should show up in the lives of the people who keep our economy moving, even in the slow months.

3. Make Public Spaces a Real Priority

Parks, trails, and libraries are not fluff. They are where families go when money is tight. They are where seniors walk and kids learn to ride bikes. They are where neighbors become neighbors. And in the case of libraries, where people gather for warmth, connection, internet access, and a sense of dignity.

Right now, we are underfunding the places that bring our communities together. In some cases, county support for recreation and public spaces has been cut to the bone, or cut entirely.

There is even talk that libraries will be on the chopping block. Not because they are unimportant, but because they are not mandated. And that is exactly the problem. When budgets get tight, the things that matter most to people’s daily lives often go first.

We need to rethink that. Investing in parks, libraries, and trail access is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve quality of life. It boosts local tourism, supports youth and senior programs, improves public health, and gives us all more reasons to get outside or gather safely.

Let’s treat our shared spaces like the public assets they are. Not afterthoughts.

4. Remove the Barriers to Being Heard

It should not take three emails, a phone call, and a perfectly worded public comment to get a straight answer from your county government.

Planning, permitting, budget hearings, community input… it’s all harder than it needs to be. And most people do not have the time or energy to navigate the system unless they absolutely have to.

We can do better. We can make information easier to find. We can make meetings easier to attend. We can communicate in plain English. And we can remember that not everyone is independently wealthy with endless hours to sit in board chambers.

Government should feel approachable. And it should feel like it actually belongs to the people who live here.

5. Care for the People Who Built This Place

Tuolumne County has one of the oldest populations in the state. That is not a problem, it is a fact. And it means we need to plan accordingly.

That means increasing access to in-home care. It means finding transportation solutions for people who do not drive anymore. It means building housing that works for older residents who want to stay local.

And it also means fighting isolation. One of the most invisible but damaging realities facing our elders. Seniors in rural areas can go days or weeks without meaningful connection, especially in the winter.

Libraries, senior centers, meal programs, community events, these are not luxuries in other areas. These are non-negotiables. And for our seniors, they are lifelines.

If we do this right, we are not just taking care of older adults. We are creating a county where anyone would feel safe aging.

What Are You Hoping For?

These are my goals for the year ahead. But they are only one piece of the puzzle.

What are your ideas?

If you could fix one thing about how our county works, what would it be? What do you want more of in 2026?

I want to hear it. Fill in the form below or please, just stop me in the grocery store. I love talking about this stuff. And I love to hear what you want.

Let’s start this year with more listening, more action, and a sense of belief that our county can become something even better than it already is… together.

~ Tim

I’ll compile your submissions, highlight the things you think are most important and keep pressing for solutions.

2026, HERE WE COME!

New Year, New Goals: A 2026 Vision for Tuolumne