Van Polen Seeks Mahaska County Treasurers Office
Connie Van Polen
Oskaloosa, Iowa – Connie Van Polen has been with the Mahaska County Treasurers Office for 23 years, and she’s running for Mahaska County Treasurer after Sone Scott announced her retirement.
Van Polen was hired by Arlene Tucker in 1995 and was appointed to accounting deputy in 1996. Sone Scott promoted Van Polen to First Deputy Treasurer of Mahaska County in 2003.
Van Polen says she is responsible for the office in Scott’s absence.
Van Polen lives in the southwest part of Mahaska County in Jefferson Township. “I’m a Buxton enthusiast and a historian”. She gives presentations on the former town, “I just love to do and to share.”
Van Polen owns the century farm that her family lives on. She keeps the title for that farm as Rodney and Connie Schippers, “that’s in honor of my late husband Rod Schippers who passed away in 2002. This century farm has been in the Schippers family since 1895.”
She was recently honored by the Iowa National Guard for her work in the Child and Youth Program. She was presented with a bronze service medallion for her hours of service.
Van Polen was also honored by then Governor Terry Branstad with an Iowa Governor’s Volunteer Award in 2012.
She is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and a lifetime member of the Mahaska County Historical Society.
Moving into an elected position within the office is something Van Polen feels is important, stating that the office is “very complex” which includes the property tax department, as well as the motor vehicle and drivers license departments. “I feel that somebody that has been there and has grown in that and saw all the changes and all the changes that are coming would be well qualified to step into that.”
“I felt as if I was the most qualified candidate in the office,” added Van Polen.
Van Polen says that she is open to listening to what the needs and desires are of the public, to help make the Mahaska County Treasurers Office the best it can be. “There are a few things within the accounting part that I would like to enhance.”
Van Polen says that electronic titling of motor vehicles is something that will be making its way out to county treasurers offices.
“As far as how the office [Mahaska County Treasurers Office] is running currently, I think it’s functioning great. We balance to the penny every year. We have all 23 years that I have worked there,” added Van Polen. “I am definitely open to other ideas, and other ways it occurs in other counties.”
‘It is a big responsibility,” added Van Polen of being Mahaska County Treasurer. “I feel that my knowledge and experience of my 23 years has prepared me for this.”
