Rod Sullivan, Johnson County Board of Supervisors

The Gazette sent a questionnaire to candidates who are on the Nov. 3, 2020, ballot for boards of supervisors in Linn and Johnson counties. The responses are unedited, unless to correct spelling or punctuation. 

Three seats are up for election on the Johnson County Board of Supervisors. Rod Sullivan faces fellow Democrats Lisa Green-Douglass and Royceann Porter, and Republican Phil Hemingway.

To see other candidates' responses for county, state and federal races, visit our Election 2020 Candidates page. 

Why are you running for office? What have you done to prepare for this position? How will you approach learning about issues and making decisions on issues that you don't have extensive experience with?

I feel I have accomplished a great deal while in office, and believe I have a lot more to offer. I have prepared for the position by doing the job well for 16 years. There are always new and different issues that come up. Like usual, I will seek information from a wide variety of sources before making a decision.

What are the three largest issues facing the county? What will you do to address them?

1. Poverty. 2. Affordable Housing. 3. Healthcare. Obviously, the biggest issues facing the people of Johnson County are a very heavy lift for local government. While we can make things better, the most effective way to address these issues is through the Federal government. I will continue to advocate for a better Federal response.

What do you identify as your budget priorities? What do you see as the least important funding priorities?

Everything is important in budgeting, and pretending otherwise is a recipe for disaster. I have always tried to ensure that needs are met, and that deferred maintenance does not become a crisis. I really don't think this is a very good question, because the only honest answer is, "It depends." I'd rather invest in salaries, in general, but sometimes the money is needed in technology, buildings, or some other area.

What can the county do to expand the reach and availability of mental health services to residents?

The menu of services available will increase with the opening of the GuideLink Center, which will serve people with acute mental health and/or substance abuse needs. I have been intimately involved in this effort, and I am very proud of our progress. That said, there is always more we can do to increase the availability of services. I am certainly open to ideas.

What, if anything, would you do to improve the way the county works with other governmental bodies in the county?

My personal relationships with all of the Iowa Legislators, City Council Members, School Board Members, and Township Trustees in the County is very strong. I frequently reach out to other elected officials to see if I can be of assistance; I commit to continuing those efforts.

What is your response to recent protests calling for racial justice? What changes to law enforcement policy or budgeting do you support?

Racial injustice is truly the "original sin" of the United States. Institutional racism permeates every area of our society. So it only makes sense that we would see protests. I think governments at all levels can and must do better.

There are a few policy changes I would like to see. Less militarization, less incarceration, lower fines... I can go on. I hope we can lower the Sheriff's budget by keeping less people in jail.