William "Bill" Barron
Republican · MT · Lake County Commissioner, District 1
Bill Barron is a Lake County commissioner representing the North District, now in his third term. He spent 30 years in law enforcement, including two terms as Lake County Sheriff, and describes himself as a problem solver on county budgets and services.
Where William "Bill" Barron stands, based on their records
Supports
Government Efficiency (1 record), Public Safety and Crime Control (2 records)
Opposes
Government Spending Reduction (3 records)
Track record
Track record — Government Efficiency
Government Efficiency · 1 support
Voted for a resolution of intent to move Lake County jail management from the sheriff's office to a separate administrator. It passed 2-1. He cited ongoing jail problems and lawsuits.
May 4, 2026Supports Government Efficiency
Source: dailyinterlake.com
Track record — Government Spending Reduction
Government Spending Reduction · 3 oppose
Testified to the Montana Senate Judiciary Committee for Senate Bill 127, which sought state reimbursement for Lake County's Public Law 280 costs. He told senators the deal had cost the county far more than first expected.
February 23, 2023Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: leaderadvertiser.com
Publicly backed Lake County's demand that the state pay over $4 million a year for felony policing on the Flathead Reservation (Public Law 280). He said the cost had drained roads, public health and other county services.
February 9, 2022Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: ktvh.com
As Lake County Commission chairman, issued a public letter after voters rejected a $2.5 million-a-year, 20-year levy for a new criminal justice center. He said the county still needed a new jail and safer courts.
January 29, 2020Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: kpax.com
Track record — Public Safety and Crime Control
Public Safety and Crime Control · 2 support
Voted for a resolution of intent to move Lake County jail management from the sheriff's office to a separate administrator. It passed 2-1. He cited ongoing jail problems and lawsuits.
May 4, 2026Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: dailyinterlake.com
As Lake County Commission chairman, issued a public letter after voters rejected a $2.5 million-a-year, 20-year levy for a new criminal justice center. He said the county still needed a new jail and safer courts.
January 29, 2020Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: kpax.com
Track record — General
General · 3 records
Voted with the full Lake County Commission to approve a resolution of intent to withdraw from Public Law 280. That deal made the county handle felony law enforcement on the Flathead Reservation.
December 12, 2022
Source: dailyinterlake.com
Elected president of the Montana Association of Counties (MACo) by a unanimous ballot at the group's 2017 annual conference.
September 20, 2017
Source: mtcounties.org
Announced he was leaving the Lake County Sheriff's job on Oct. 15, 2006, about 2.5 months before his term ended. He left to become a detective with the Polson Police Department.
September 20, 2006
Source: leaderadvertiser.com
Past race William "Bill" Barron ran in:
- County Commissioner District 1 · November 3, 2026 · Lake County, Montana · incumbent