POCATELLO — Bannock County voters in District 2 will have a clear choice this May between a six-year incumbent commissioner and a challenger running on a platform of fiscal transparency and reduced government spending.
Commission Chair Jeff Hough is seeking another term on the Bannock County Board of Commissioners. Hough, a lifelong county resident and Idaho State University finance graduate, attended Marsh Valley High School and has spent decades embedded in the community — including refereeing high school sports in his spare time.
His opponent, Chris Schnitzler, relocated to Pocatello from Idaho Falls in 2003 with his wife, where they have raised their family. He brings a varied professional background that includes work with the local Department of Corrections, a management role at Verizon Wireless, and nearly a decade in real estate.
Hough Points to Six Years of Results
Hough says the work of the past six years reflects his founding mission for the role. “One of the goals I set up when I first ran was to create a place our kids can come home to,” Hough said. “I feel the last six years I’ve been working for that, and we’ve made some good progress.”
Among the accomplishments Hough highlights are the establishment of full-time advanced life support services in McCammon, the return of a professional rodeo to Pocatello, and progress through The Village, a local youth and family services center. He argues these investments position Bannock County for long-term growth and opportunity for the next generation.
If reelected, Hough said his priorities would include improving parking facilities at the Bannock County Events Complex, expanding emergency services to better cover the northern part of the county — including adding an additional ambulance to serve the Chubbuck area — and preserving zoning ordinances that support economic development rather than impede it.
Schnitzler Presses for Budget Transparency
Schnitzler is framing his campaign around three principles he says the county currently lacks. “My campaign has been built on integrity, transparency and stewardship,” he said, adding that the county needs clearer accounting of how taxpayer money is allocated and why budget figures shift.
He argues that many Bannock County families are working multiple jobs just to keep up as their tax obligations grow, and that commissioners have a responsibility to minimize that burden by eliminating unnecessary expenditures. Schnitzler draws a distinction between spending he considers wasteful and spending he calls simply unnecessary — and says the difference matters when families are stretched thin.
Schnitzler has also taken issue with how Hough has characterized the county’s tax levy record. Hough has pointed to a reduction in the levy rate over the past five years as evidence of fiscal discipline, but Schnitzler contends that decrease was driven largely by a sharp rise in taxable real estate values rather than any deliberate effort to control county spending.
On the spending side, Schnitzler has zeroed in on several specific line items. He pointed to the Portneuf amphitheater, which he says carries a $2.5 million entry in the 2026 county budget and has averaged roughly $500,000 in annual losses over the past three years. He argues that redirecting those dollars away from entertainment programming would be a meaningful first step toward fiscal responsibility.
Schnitzler also raised concerns about a county coroner facility project that he says began as a request in the $300,000 range before expanding to nearly $1 million in the budget. He acknowledged he does not have full details on the decision-making behind that project but called the lack of public explanation troubling for everyday taxpayers.
Road conditions and infrastructure have emerged as a top concern among voters Schnitzler says he has spoken with during the campaign, along with questions about which projects get approved and how the spending decisions behind them are made. For more on the May election, voters can visit VoteIdaho.gov.
The District 2 race is among several competitive local contests drawing attention this cycle. For related coverage, see the three hotly contested races from the recent Legislative Debate and ongoing coverage of local government decisions shaping Bannock County’s direction.
What Comes Next
Bannock County voters will decide the District 2 commissioner race in the May election. The seat carries significant influence over county budgeting, land use decisions, and the expansion of emergency services across one of southeast Idaho’s largest counties. Residents can verify registration and polling information at VoteIdaho.gov. Bannock County News will continue covering this race as election day approaches.