Commissioner Candidate Teri Pailen Advocates for Fiscal Responsibility and Community Engagement in Interview

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Teri Pailen, a former federal employee with extensive experience in grants management, is running for Washington County Commissioner, aiming to bring a more rigorous approach to fiscal oversight and enhance transparency in county government. Pailen, who spent 37 years at the Department of Health and Human Services, including 25 years in grants management and three years as a Supervisory Grants Management Specialist at the NIH, retired in February 2025. She has stated her decision to run for office stems from a desire to serve the community and address what she perceives as critical gaps in local governance.

Pailen’s primary focus is on fiscal oversight and the reform of grant management processes. Drawing from her experience managing substantial federal budgets, she has voiced concerns regarding the current commissioners’ level of scrutiny during the approval of county grants. She noted a lack of publicly accessible, transparent grant policies on the county website and advocates for the establishment of formal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). These procedures, she believes, would help eliminate bias and ensure that all budget justifications are thoroughly examined before any approvals are made. To further strengthen accountability, Pailen has proposed the creation of an oversight office dedicated to conducting initial reviews of grant applications before they are presented to the commissioners.

“I do have an extent of knowledge of budgets and analyzing budget and picking them apart, which I love to do,” said Pailen.

Beyond fiscal matters, Pailen is a strong proponent of increased public engagement and transparency in county government. She has been critical of recent decisions by the current board to limit or “deactivate” public comment periods during meetings. Pailen suggests that while disruptive individuals may need to be removed, silencing the entire community is not the appropriate solution. She also argues for greater visibility of commissioners within the community, advocating that they should engage with residents at places like homeless shelters and food pantries, rather than solely attending celebratory events.

Pailen’s motivation for entering public service is deeply personal, informed by her own experiences as a single parent who has faced difficult choices between essential needs like food, rent, and utilities. She expresses alarm over the rising cost of utilities for local residents, citing an instance where a one-bedroom apartment incurred a $900 utility bill. Pailen believes the county government should actively advocate with utility providers to address these affordability challenges. Additionally, she supports full funding for the Board of Education and has raised concerns about a policy that leads to automatic student withdrawal after ten days of absence without adequate follow-up.

“I know what it’s like to stress out because you don’t know [how] you’re gonna get food,” remarked Pailen, “or how you’re gonna pay the utility or the rent bill and you have to choose between different bills.”

Regarding the presence of an ICE detention center, Pailen has personally expressed opposition to facilities that she believes treat individuals inhumanely. While acknowledging the federal government’s jurisdiction, she has highlighted a prevalent sense of “fear” within the community regarding the potential impact of such a facility on local residents, urging for a greater sense of mutual care within the community. Pailen describes herself as an introvert and an observer who prioritizes listening, and her approach to governance is characterized as technical and policy-driven. She views effective management of county funds as a direct pathway to improving the quality of life for residents struggling with affordability.

“Nobody has addressed how scared people are… the federal government is more powerful than we are… there’s not much we can do [except] look out for each other,” said Pailen.

Article by Ken Buckler, based upon information from Teri Pailen for Washington County Commissioner Campaign

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