Meet the candidates running for Dallas County supervisor, representing Grimes, Urbandale
Incumbent Brad Golightly, a Republican, is facing Democratic challenger Robert Greenway for the Dallas County Board of Supervisors in District 1, which includes the cities of Perry, Woodward, Granger, Grimes and portions of Clive and Urbandale.
To help voters, the Des Moines Register sent questions to area candidates running in contested races this year. Their answers have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
The Register did not send questionnaires to candidates in countywide uncontested races. They include Republicans Kim Chapman for District 3 supervisor, Mitch Hambleton for county treasurer and Chuck Sinnard for county attorney. All are incumbents.
Early voting begins Oct. 19 for the Nov. 8 election.
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Who is Brad Golightly?
Age: 65
Party: Republican
Where did you grow up? Rural Van Meter, Iowa
Current town of residence: Rural Perry
Education: Bachelor's of animal science from Iowa State University
Occupation: Family farm
Political experience and civic activities: Dallas County supervisor since 2003
Who is Robert Greenway?
Age: 66
Party: Democrat
Where did you grow up? Eldon, Missouri
Current town of residence: Granger
Education: Bachelor's of economics from the University of Missouri
Occupation: Insurance broker and real estate investor
Political experience and civic activities: Former De Soto City Council member; promoter of the Local Option Sales Tax in Dallas County; helped raise funds for Van Meter Veterans Reception Center
What do you believe to be the key issue facing residents in your county?
Golightly: A key challenge facing Dallas County residents is planning to facilitate the increasing use of county provided services due to our ever increasing population base. Achieving this with the most cost effective, efficient use of taxpayer dollars is a constant challenge for our Dallas County Management Team that includes all elected officials and department leaders. Working together, this team has managed to keep Dallas County’s tax levy one of the lowest in the state. Our management team intends to continue striving for excellence while providing sustainable services for our taxpayers now and in the future.
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Greenway: Increased property taxes due to rising property values without significant reduction in levy rates, along with Dallas County needing to provide for and accommodate more students in the fastest growing county in the state.
What new programs or initiatives, if any, would your office launch under your leadership?
Golightly: See answer above.
Greenway: Pay off the Dallas County jail, starting in 2023 and ending in 2025, to reduce debt and tax rates by using excess county cash flow in eight semi-annual payments. Will look at several federal grants on capital projects requiring matching funds from Local Option Sales Tax revenue. Implementing solar panels for any county building.
How would you manage rising personal costs for taxpayers while maintaining a budget that provides essential services to residents?
Golightly: See answer above.
Greenway: I would push to lower county tax levy rates to offset the rising property tax assessments. Even though this is not a county supervisor role, I would visit both city councils and school boards to consider the same action and research.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Who is running for Dallas County supervisor in Grimes, Urbandale?
