Our choice for Linn County Supervisor District 5

Voters in Linn County Supervisor District 5, a large 'doughnut district” that includes much of the county surrounding the Cedar Rapids metro, have two quality choices.

Supervisor John Harris, a Republican from Palo has been on the board since 2010, and has proved to be a thoughtful consensus-builder. Democratic hopeful Becky Shoop is a deputy county auditor who has 39 years of experience in county government. One of her duties involves taking detailed minutes at supervisors' meetings.

The overall quality of these two candidates makes our choice especially difficult. And as much as we admire Shoop's service, we see no good reason to oust Harris. So he receives our endorsement.

Harris shows a depth of knowledge on major county issues. Since joining the board, he's taken the lead on issues related to secondary roads, important infrastructure assets in rural parts of the county.

Harris also has been deeply involved in issues related to the county's struggle to continue to provide quality mental health and developmental disability services. That includes his work on the future of Options, the county's sheltered workshop which faces potential funding reductions and an ongoing federal phaseout of workshop facilities. 'There are a lot of variables,” Harris said.

Harris also said, even though his district is largely rural, he's willing to help foster better cooperation between the county and the City of Cedar Rapids. One area where that may happen is flood protection, although Harris said the county must decide whether its May's Island courthouse and jail facility would be better protected with walls or flood insurance. It will come down to which option is the most cost-effective, Harris said.

Harris tenure on the board has been marked by a continuing effort to hold the county's property tax rate steady and debt at a minimum, while still making progress on roads, parks and other areas. Harris has worked well with his Democratic and Republican colleagues.

Shoop says county supervisors should return to the discarded tradition of holding town hall meetings throughout the county, and hold regular, joint public meetings with Cedar Rapids City Council members to foster better cooperation. We like those ideas, and would urge supervisors to search for more ways to inform and engage taxpayers.

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