Supervisor Candidate Interview: Mark Doland

Mahaska County Supervisor Candidate Mark Doland

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 am 38 years old. I attended college at Bear Valley Bible Institute of Denver where I studied theology. I moved with my family to Mahaska County in 2005 after graduating from college. Since moving here, our family has served residents in many capacities. We have ministered to the Park Church of Christ since 2005. We have been members of the Mahaska County Historical Society, Fremont Lions, as well as being involved and supporting many other community organizations as volunteers. We started New Hope Christian Counseling (in connection with Teen Challenge) and have helped many Mahaska County residents with life controlling problems. We have also counseled many who struggle with depression, anxiety, marital problems, and many other circumstances. We also have been blessed with eleven foster and respite care children. I have also served on the school board in Fremont.

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

To give a history of where we are now is critical to answering this question. The Supervisors prior to this board installed new tile on the roof about ten years ago. In recent months, the tiles have broken and been torn up from wind storms. Subsequently, the roof has been repaired excessively according to insurance claims and an opinion shared from Heartland Insurance, our provider. Initial estimates were given in excess of $210,000 to replace the tiles. Given the large expense, we looked at different options and researched warranty and code regulations. We hired a contractor to do some pull out testing and come to the conclusion that the tiles on the roof could be secured safely with screws rather than the existing nails with the possibility of placing hurricane clips on the tiles in the process. This will save at least over $120,000 from the original estimate. I believe by researching our options and doing our due diligence we will have a nice, secure, and economical solution.

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.”

We have partnered with the not only the city of Oskaloosa but also other cities in Mahaska County on many different projects and will continue to do so. I currently sit on a handful of boards that deal directly with economic development and cooperate on a regional level with other counties as well.

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?”

Mental Health Services. I currently serve as the county’s representative on the Behavioral Health Services Advisory Board as well as the Mid-Iowa Behavioral Health Region. We have a unique opportunity to build a mental health delivery system that is tailored to the needs of our counties. Our region is one of only two that have been given exemptions to legislation that was passed in the Iowa Legislators so we are committed to ensuring that our residents have quality and accessible services to meet their needs.

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 have current experience on the board that has and will continue to benefit discussions moving forward should I be re-elected. I have worked well with Mike Vander Molen over the past two years and would continue to do so.

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

I give the current Board high marks. We implemented the largest tax decrease this past year. I found that ending fund balances were extremely high and we returned those to residents through levy decreases. We have maintained a sensible budget while expanding some essential services which include Information Technology as well as our mental health employees and case management staff. I personally have reached out to many city council members from different cities and mayors in an effort to communicate on ways to make the county a better place to live, work, and raise a family.

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 am currently serving. I have enjoyed my time on the board and look forward to working with those I have developed relationships with in the future should I be re-elected.