Supervisor Candidate Interview: Jeff Foster

Mahaska County Supervisor Candidate Jeff Foster

Oskaloosa, Iowa – The voters of Mahaska County will be going to the polls on November 4th to select two new Mahaska County Supervisors. Three candidates are vying for two seats. Absentee voting is already underway. November 4th is the general election.

The Supervisor candidates will take part in a Supervisor Forum on Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. at the Musco Technology Center on William Penn’s campus.

Oskaloosa News sent all three candidates the same questions, and the following is their answer.

We started off with a simple bio question:

 I live in New Sharon with my wife Karie Foster and three children; Lindsay-college, Mason-high school, and Bensen-elementary. I am currently serving on the New Sharon City Council, a Dispatch Supervisor for UPS, and substitute/activities bus driver for North Mahaska School District. I was born and lived in University Park with my parents Bob and Charlotte Foster. My father ran the Conoco Ma & Pa filling station before moving to Arizona. My grandfather Junior (Charles) was a carpenter. His father Charles was a farmer near Rose Hill.

Give your thoughts on the repair of the courthouse roof, and how you would make the process different, if at all?

In regards to the courthouse roof: I believe the final decision on how to repair the roof was a sound one. However, time and money could have been saved by not hiring the consultant for advice. I believe research and discussion done by the Supervisors would have resulted in the same decision.

We then turned our attention to economic development and continuing the growth of the county. We asked about the partnerships between such entities like the County, Oskaloosa and the Oskaloosa Chamber and Development Group. “Do you think this needs to be a continued focus? If so, what projects or steps do you see as needed to continue that process. If you don’t think a continued partnership is needed, what do you see as the focus the county should have.”

I believe the common goal of economic development should be a priority for the entire county. I would like the county to continue the relationship with OACDG in order to develop more opportunities for growth. Please keep in mind we need to not only partner with the City of Oskaloosa but to include other towns in rural Mahaska County for much needed attention. We need to focus on all aspects of drawing new business to our county. An example would be to offer tax incentives to businesses so in turn they can offer competitive wages. As our business district starts to grow, we need to also offer higher quality of housing for our residents.

Building off the previous question, we asked the candidates to exclude Secondary Roads from the next answer. “Where do you see the Mahaska County Board of Supervisors having the most impact, and how will that be accomplished?”

The main purpose of the Board of Supervisors is to manage the county and its departments by providing services to the taxpayers. While maintaining all budgets, it is our duty to ensure all taxpayers are receiving full benefits of residing in the county. A current issue that has been raised is the truck trailer traffic in the City of Oskaloosa and outlining areas. Obviously we are looking at bypass options around the City of Oskaloosa which would indeed offer relief with downtown truck traffic. Another area brought to my attention is Newport Avenue. I have been informed that heavy truck traffic is occurring in this stretch of road that raises concern. Trucks are traveling at high speeds thus creating dust and possible visual obstructions. Another area of concern is the growth of the Lacey Complex area. We need to offer better traveling conditions for the increased volume.

Our main objective is to look and listen to all concerns that affect our county and to make well informed decisions that prove to be beneficial to our taxpayers far and wide.

How do you see yourself compared to the other candidates in the field, and how do you think you will mesh and/or work with current Chairman Mike Vander Molen?

I am currently serving on the City Council of New Sharon, where we have made many accomplishments. We have professional open discussions that prove beneficial in making wise decisions for our community. We are focused in our responsibility to our taxpayers and always hold the best interest of our town. We avoid personal conflicts and know we are there to do a job we were elected to do.

At the county level, personal conflicts have been a problem in the past which causes turmoil and unnecessary waste of taxpayer time and money. While the Chairperson realizes the importance of bringing all ideas to the table in making better decisions, he also knows that growing personality conflicts are detrimental to the progress of county management decisions. I believe in mutual respect and anticipate having similar working relationships with the County Supervisors that I experienced with the city council.

How would you grade the job of the current Board of Supervisors and their performance over the past 2 years?

In reviewing the past few years of the Supervisors, I have noted some important accomplishments. I agree with the development of the mental health system for the county. Challenging the state’s requirement of a three county system and getting approval for our two county system was a benefit to both Marion and Mahaska Counties in reorganizing the mental health department. The goal of the county is to support our own operations with minimal state intervention.

Another positive decision passed was the tax levy reduction. This was done in lieu of the excess tax reserves the county requires to hold. Unfortunately this decision was overdue, since the county was operating at almost double the tax reserve requirement by the state. I believe that this tax reduction is very important due to the previously unpopular passed airport initiative that will likely change taxation for our county residents.

The current County Supervisors are also trying to find a way to dissolve the contract with the R.U.S.S. organization. Unfortunately this was a decision made a few years ago that has proved to be of no benefit for the county. The county is paying membership dues at this time but is seeking legal counsel to remove themselves without breaching the signed contract.

One disappointment of past Supervisors has been the lack of support for the Veterans Department of the county. In order for services to be rendered to all veterans, resources have to be made available for the Veterans Department Director to disperse any assistance big or small.

Overall, I believe the current County Supervisors are making strides in the right direction and I would like the opportunity to be involved in those decisions in the future.

There is usually a driving force behind a person wanting to be a public servant. What is the reason, or cause, for you to want to be on the Mahaska County Board of Supervisors?

I put my name on the County Supervisor ballot for the same reason I am serving on the New Sharon City Council. I felt it was my duty to be involved with community decisions that directly affect the residents. I use common sense and always look for the betterment of the taxpayers. I bring experience and due diligence to the table for open discussions that promote well informed decisions.