Candidate Comparison

First, the county must make sure that tax dollars are being used efficiently and transparently for all to provide the public services that the people expect, from public safety— to safe secondary roads and bridges. This is imperative for the safety of the people as well as the farm to market transfer. This work is an ongoing plan, and I would work with the secondary roads department to make sure that the plans laid out for expansion of hard surface roads, and maintenance of the current roads and bridges are fully funded. Secondly, Healthcare, mental healthcare, and rehabilitation access are becoming more difficult to find in our small towns and rural areas—but the need is increasing. It is important that the county maintain a strong public health system to serve the people —making sure that the people have access to the services they need. With the state intervening and changing the matrix for public health and mental health, Linn County could become a hub for even more counties in need of these services. When that happens, it will be more important than ever to make sure that we have the funding and personnel in place to handle the influx of needs. Thirdly, strong economic development in the rural areas and small towns is also important to maintain and grow Linn County. This includes the need for affordable housing, strong public schools, as well as providing recreational activities to bring people in to live, work, play, and to raise their families. Supporting small businesses and recruiting entrepreneurs to open businesses in our towns will also help to revitalize them. As well as Having a strong economic development plan for the future, will help to maintain our youth so that we can slow the brain drain to other bigger towns, counties, and even states that have more opportunities for employment, better school systems, PE offer a rich culture and diversity, as well as recreation, entertainment, and better climate. As a county, we can utilize the departments and the systems in place, to work with local towns and city officials to enhance the areas to attract more people and maintain our youth.

When considering the most important issues facing our County, it’s essential to recognize that priorities can vary significantly among residents. My primary focus is to ensure that all voices are heard and represented, as each person’s needs and concerns are unique. We need to continue to make sure Linn County is a place people want to live and raise their families by making sure our property taxes reflect the services people in the county want and need.

I believe that if there is a need to cut the budget that the cuts would be shared among many different departments making sure that services provided to the people of Linn County remain stable and consistent. I would look for areas where we could be more efficient and make sure that allocations of funds put towards the basic needs of the people first.

If we must make budget cuts, my first priority will be to protect departments mandated by statute. Each budget year presents unique challenges, so our approach will depend on the specific circumstances behind any shortfall. To identify potential savings, I would focus on enhancing efficiencies within our current budget and exploring collaborative partnerships with cities, the state, and other entities to share costs without sacrificing quality. Additionally, I would seek to reduce wasteful spending and explore alternative funding sources to support functions that could operate outside of county government. Ultimately, my goal is to ensure we maintain essential services while responsibly managing our financial resources.

When there are projects happening in areas of the county in which the town leaders and the county leaders can work together to make improvements for the people, they absolutely should meet with one another to solidify roles in the project and the plans. I believe that being available and having open communication will help to strengthen the relationships between the towns and the county. I believe that some areas of the county have received more representation than others. In my discussions in district 3 over the years many of the municipalities feel as though they have had no voice, as well as the residents in those towns. Given the opportunity to be district 3’s supervisor, I will work to change that— because I believe that all of the towns in this district deserve a voice, to have a representative that puts in a full weeks work, plus some, and who will be available to them in person. I will be a representative who shows up year round, not just during campaign season.

Government agencies can always improve collaboration. I believe regular meetings between the Board of Supervisors and representatives from other taxing jurisdictions are essential. These meetings would facilitate ongoing reviews of programs to prevent duplication of efforts and ensure that services delivered are both efficient and effective. Throughout my campaign, I have prioritized building relationships with city mayors, including Mayor Tiffany O'Donnell, and have attended council meetings across District 3. I’ve also met with city managers and key players in economic development within the district. It’s crucial that our cities maintain strong relationships with the county; after all, county taxpayers deserve Supervisors committed to working with them to ensure our communities are vibrant places to live, work, and raise a family.

I have met with the department directors over the past year and I have learned about the long-term planning. I believe they have a solid plan for the future in many areas, but due to lack of funding, I know that there are areas that are in need. For instance, Public safety and the County Attorney’s office lack the funding necessary to fully staff their departments. Public safety is a priority of mine in the district. That is an area that should get a closer look to find where the county can cut back, or reallocate funds when needed to enhance the funding to protect the residents. Behavioral health has been my background and passion as an educator working with behavioral disordered youth and at risk youth. There has been an increase in reporting about minor and violent crimes, and often that correlates with lack of attendance in school. I believe that public safety, the public health/mental health departments, and the county attorney’s office could work together with the schools to be proactive in deterring youth delinquency and violence. Another area of concern is the growing need for rehabilitation and mental health services. Changes in the current system by the state will likely increase the need here even more in Linn County as a major public health hub for the state. Access to healthcare in the rural areas is becoming much more difficult with rural hospitals shutting down throughout the state. The shortage of doctors also affects our small towns in rural Iowa. Linn County is also in need of emergency medical services in the rural parts of the county, that can reach people in crisis much faster.

Assessing the county's long-term planning and vision requires a thorough evaluation of current initiatives alongside an awareness of emerging challenges. Here are key areas that need focused planning: - Landfill Closure in 2044: As we approach the landfill’s closing date, it’s essential to develop a comprehensive waste management and recycling strategy. Ongoing planning is critical to identify next steps. - Homelessness: Addressing homelessness remains a priority. The recent hiring of J’nae Peterman as the Homelessness Systems Manager, a collaborative effort between the county and Cedar Rapids, is a significant step forward. This role will focus on reducing homelessness and supporting those at risk, but we need to continually enhance our strategies to create lasting solutions. - Future Land Use: Our land use plans must be thoughtfully designed and sustainable, taking into account community needs, environmental impacts, and long-term growth. - Parks and Roads: Maintaining and developing parks and roads is crucial for our community. We should create plans that look ahead 3 to 10 years to make sure we meet the needs of residents.

We are the 2nd most populous county in the state, yet we only have 3 supervisors. Briefly, we had five, but this changed back to three in the 2016 election. At the time, they were part-time, and there was more distribution of the labor having 5 supervisors. This also provided more accountability for their time, and likely better service to constituents. I believe to fully represent all of the county, five full-time supervisors would likely be better. Having five would allow for more representation for the people, and make it easier for the supervisors to attend meetings and events without worry about a public meeting to avoid a quorum.

The question of whether Linn County should have three or five Supervisors has been a topic of discussion for many years. The county has shifted from three to five and back to three Supervisors over the past two decades. The voters of Linn County have not been shy about weighing in on this issue. I believe the decision should ultimately rest with the electorate, and I fully support whatever choice the voters make. Their input is vital in determining the governance structure that best serves our county.

This is an area that I work with on a regular basis as an educator of at risk youth and as the ranking member on the Health and Human Service budget. Some of the greatest concerns are availability of services due to lack of mental healthcare professionals in the state. This in conjunction with too few beds to provide programming and mental health services that the people need. Linn County has a tremendous program in the Linn County Mental Health Access Center, as well as some other programs within Linn County and Cedar Rapids areas. However, they are not enough to fulfill the needs of all the people in the county, let alone becoming one of the major public health hubs, dictated by the state for a healthcare district that would include more surrounding counties. We need incentives to draw in more mental health professionals to the state and into the county, as well as facilities with beds for those in need. This is just one area in a much larger picture of healthcare deficiencies with lack of personnel available here in the state to provide all of the services needed. I believe that all government bodies working together to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health will encourage more people to come forward when they need help. I also believe that working together to provide better incentives to draw in our medical professionals to this area would be beneficial for all.

Over the past decade, the state has decided that in order to make mental health services available to more people across the state, it was necessary to redesign the way that mental health services are delivered. This effort culminated this year with the state enacting HF 2673, the mental health reorganization bill. This means that counties' role in funding, providing, or overseeing the delivery of mental health services has been declining since 2013. Now, counties are no longer allowed to levy funds for mental health services, and the participation of Supervisors on regional governance boards has been decreasing, so that even the ability to provide oversight has been reduced. Effectively, counties now have virtually no role in mental health services other than limited participation on advisory boards for the new mental health districts. This does not mean that counties can or should do nothing. Counties still have a vital role in making sure that no matter what form the mental health system takes, that those who need services, know where to get them. I want to make sure that the Linn County General Services Department works closely with the new mental health district to make sure that residents of Linn County have the information on who to contact to access these services for themselves or their families, should the need arise.

The county's role in affordable housing programs should focus on coordination, funding, and support. This would include enforcing policies that promote affordable housing initiatives and zoning reforms to facilitate development. The county should provide grants or low-interest loans to developers, and offer financial assistance to low-income residents. The county should conduct assessments to understand housing needs, trends, and gaps in services, which can inform the decisions made. The county should work closely with municipal governments to combine efforts, sharing resources, and to develop comprehensive regional strategies, as well as engage nonprofits to provide their expertise and outreach. Counties along with cities should also encourage partnerships with private developers. The counties can also assist with rental assistance programming, programming for first time home buyers, as well as work on rapid response plans for families experiencing homelessness. In addition they can work with the community for transitional housing options. Having partnerships will help to provide a solid plan across the county.

Linn County does have a role in helping to create affordable housing. That role must include cooperation and partnerships with other municipal entities as well as the private and non profit sectors.

Yes, I believe that flood control is for the betterment of all the people in Linn County, and that the county can be part of —and should be part of the flood control system. Linn County has a role in protecting cities like Cedar Rapids and surrounding towns through regional planning, emergency management, and infrastructure development. The county can provide financial assistance and resources for flood control projects that benefit the wider community. They can also Implement zoning regulations that reduce the flood risk and promote sustainable development.

Cedar Rapids is a vital part of our county, home to about two-thirds of Linn County’s residents. Even for those of us who don’t live in the city of Cedar Rapids, it remains an essential hub for employment and recreation. Additionally, Linn County has two significant assets that require protection, the Courthouse and the Jail. For those reasons, I feel it makes sense that, within the limits of the budget, that Linn County participates in some manner with flood protection.

Linn County has specific ordinances for wind and solar energy development. For wind energy, the ordinances include regulations on setback distances from property lines, noise limits, and safety standards for turbines. Solar ordinances address installation guidelines, zoning restrictions, and requirements for permits. These ordinances took many things into account to balance development with the community concerns. As technologies evolve, it may be necessary to adapt the ordinances in the future. I believe that the board has balanced community concerns while moving forward this past summer. Wind and solar energy are beneficial for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, and they contribute to a cleaner environment. Economically, solar and wind will both lower energy costs and create good paying jobs. Changes that the county could make would include enhancing incentives for both residential and commercial installations with covered parking lots, roofs tops, and building roofs.

I believe that alternative energy needs to be a part of any balanced energy portfolio. However, it’s crucial to respect the rights of landowners and neighboring property owners. Eminent domain should be used sparingly, if at all, to ensure that individual rights are prioritized. I also support requiring companies that propose wind and solar projects to post a performance bond. This bond would guarantee that the land is restored to its original value after the project is completed. Personally, we have found that solar systems work well on our family farm, significantly reducing our electrical costs. While I believe privately owned solar is the most beneficial for individuals, I would also advocate for a change in Iowa Code to support Community Solar initiatives. This could broaden access to solar energy for more residents. While I am pleased with the recent updates to the wind ordinances, there is always room for improvement. It’s important to continuously review and strengthen these regulations to ensure that all property rights are addressed and that solar projects are implemented in a way that benefits everyone in the community.