The Monitor invited the four candidates for Wright County Board of Supervisors to answer questions to help inform voters before the upcoming election. The candidates for supervisor in district 1 are incumbent Rick Rasmussen and challenger Jason Wessels. For district 3, the candidates are incumbent Karl Helgevold and challenger Mike Boyd. All answers were submitted by the candidates, unedited and in their own words. The general election is November 3, with mail-in voting already taking place.
Jason Wessels
Democratic Candidate for District 1
Background information
My name is Jason Wessels, I was born and raised in and around Belmond where I graduated High School. I am married to my wife of 23 years, Jaclyn, I have two children, Madison (22) and Tristan (19) both are attending UNI in Cedar Falls. I currently own and work at Olsen Accounting, LLC in Belmond.
Why are you running for a Wright County Supervisor position?
I am running for the Wright County Supervisors position because I want to try and make a difference in life and not just live it, I want to give back to the great area and communities that I have grown up in and around. I think that the county government needs to be more transparent so that the county population can see and participate easier. I think that the Supervisors need to take care of and stand up for all of the employees, from the person that has been there the longest, to the ones starting today. I want to be a Supervisor so that I can help do what is best for the county and its residents, so it can grow and prosper for generations to come.
What background or skill set do you have that makes you qualified to be a supervisor?
I have been in the Accounting field since 2002, earned my Enrolled Agent with IRS in 2012, Owned and operated Allen Home Center, INC from 2013 to 2020, Owned and operated Olsen Accounting, LLC from 2014 to present. In my business I help people with earnings and recognize earning potential areas, help draw up budgets and stick to them, I manage people and time, and communicate well with others.
What do you feel are the biggest issues facing Wright County today?
I believe some of the biggest issues facing Wright County right now are trying to get industries to move into the county for more jobs, taxes and pay, which should bring more property and sales tax, people to our towns and children to our schools. The other major issue that I believe Wright County is facing right now is in home health care that is being eliminated. Many, many people's lives relied on in-home health care and with proper management and structure I believe that it can be a great asset to the county. While it might not be profitable, we should be able to make it minimally subsidized.
What does the county need to do to address those issues and how would you help with that effort?
We need to aggressively and creatively look to attract more and new industries into the county and we need to try to restructure the way that the in-home healthcare was operated to try and bring it back and make it a feasible service that Wright County can afford to provide. I would love to help come up with a solution to entice more industries into the county and would make it my goal to get the in-home health care back up and operating for those that need it and to make it so that it is not a financial burden to the residents of Wright County.
If you are elected, what are your three biggest goals for your term?
My goals if I were elected would be to 1) grow industry in the county, 2) bring back a feasible in-home health care system and 3) transparency into how the county is ran, the decisions that are being made, who is making them, why they are made and how it will affect the residence.
Rick Rasmussen
Republican Candidate for District 1
Background information
I have lived in Goldfield with my wife Connie for 36 years. I have three children: Alicia (Tyler) who lives in Ankeny and has 2 girls; Cami (Damon) who lives in Tucson, AZ and has 1 boy, and one son Blake (Mackenzie) who lives in Eagle Grove and has 2 boys. I have operated businesses in Clarion and Dakota City, Oaks Garden Spot and Rasmussen Lawn Care, for 25 years. I have been a Wright County Supervisor for the last 8 years.
Why are you running for reelection as a Wright County Supervisor?
I want to continue what we have done for the last eight years to keep the County growing and provide continued services and help people understand why we do what we do.
What background or skill set do you have that makes you qualified to be a supervisor?
I have knowledge of government workings. I am willing to listen to all complaints and follow through in problem areas. I have a background working for citizens. I was a council member for five years and the mayor of Goldfield for 15 years. I am deeply concerned about public safety and the health of all citizens.
What do you feel are the biggest issues facing Wright County today?
The biggest issues right now are the COVID epidemic, public safety and health and keeping a strong economy.
What does the county need to do to address those issues and how would you help with that effort?
We need to work with public safety, public health and economic development. We need to continue to listen to the citizens of Wright County.
If you are elected, what are your three biggest goals for your term?
1) Economic development for all Wright County towns. 2) Public Health improvements. 3) Safety
Mike Boyd
Democratic Candidate for District 3
Background information
My wife, Jaci, and I raised our family in Eagle Grove. I graduated from Eagle Grove High School and have lived most of my life there. I went to ICCC and Buena Vista while working at Electrolux in Webster City. Working my way into management, supervising in almost every department, and over the years worked into middle management and eventually into a staff position at their range plant in Tennessee. After living there a short time, we decided to come back to our home town and be closer to family. When they decided to move the plant to Mexico, I worked in management for other companies, while getting my Masters in Management from Liberty University, until I had the privilege of being the City Administrator for Eagle Grove for several years.
Why are you running for a Wright County Supervisor position?
With my background in management experience, education and desire to serve the good people of Wright County, I want to give back. We are going through challenging times that will require a renewed focus on priorities. I believe I can commit the time and energy required to deliver strong leadership and direction.
What background or skill set do you have that makes you qualified to be a supervisor?
I have experience in federal and state grants involving drainage law, grant writing, union negotiations, writing and interpreting contracts, taught college courses in organizational theory, HR management and several other business related fields for Buena Vista and ICCC for 10 years. I have bought property (private and rental) and sold it. I can work with people and get things done
What do you feel are the biggest issues facing Wright County today?
Public health and safety, especially COVID prevention and awareness. Decertification of the nursing side of public health has been a real blow to the care that has been a safety net for multiple families over the years. It is possible to figure something out to help revive this important service. The agpark project is also an important financial project that will need a lot of attention. Financial issues overall need a lot of attention. Property taxes have gone up dramatically for a lot of people which is also a concern that needs addressed.
What does the county need to do to address those issues and how would you help with that effort?
I would like to see a county task force for COVID related issues that would involve a cross section of people to work on local specific COVID related concerns, education and communication are critical. The ag park project is a big project that will need a great deal of scrutiny to make it succeed in the future. It is a huge investment and project with many complex issues. It needs engagement and involvement by all supervisors, including on site personal time and attention in order to understand what needs to happen. Property tax concerns is an important issue that requires budgetary review and action in the future. We cannot expect to tax our way to prosperity.
If you are elected, what are your three biggest goals for your term?
1) Remember that I SERVE the public and need to LISTEN to their concerns.
2) Work hard to understand the budget and work with the county employees to provide the best services possible to the people of Wright County
3) Learn as much as possible in order to make the best decisions for the people of Wright County and never forget the people whom I serve.
Karl Helgevold
Republican Candidate for District 3
Why are you seeking re-election to the Board of Supervisors?
I have a strong record over the past 10 years as a leader who works to improve Wright County. My ideas, efforts and initiatives have resulted in a stronger economy and county-wide tax base. As county supervisor I have made it a priority to encourage business growth and expansion to foster new jobs, higher average income and a better quality of life for all of us.
Working with my fellow Board of Supervisors members and leaders across the county, we have built a better Wright County than when I first took office. While other Iowa counties see their population shrinking, our cities and towns are growing, our school enrollment numbers are up, and we have the jobs and infrastructure to keep moving forward.
We have created initiatives to handle and maintain the growth that we are seeing in Wright County. I have been a leader in planning for the future. I am running for re-election because I not only want to finish what I have started, but I want to continue working for you – to build a better Wright County.
What background or skill set do you have that makes you qualified to be a supervisor?
As a businessman I have learned the value of building teams and bringing experts together to solve problems. I understand that being fiscally responsible with the funds available is always a better option than saying we need to make changes without a real plan.
When we updated our county-wide law enforcement communication system in 2017, we worked with the Wright County Sheriff’s Department, local law enforcement and first responders to develop a system to benefit all users across the county with a coverage ratio of 99 percent. We were able to take advantage of grants, purchase and repurpose equipment already located in our county to save time and money. Careful planning saved at least $1 million and made Wright County a successful example for other counties to follow.
In business you need to be flexible. Due to changes in technology and circumstances, new solutions are often needed for old problems. Our Emergency Medical Services (EMS) situation in Wright County needed a new solution. This county led the way in Iowa by making EMS an essential service funded by a voter approved tax levy. I am proud to have been part of the team that spearheaded a solution that keeps us all safer in emergency situations.
The importance of routine maintenance is another tenet from my business background that benefits Wright County. As we develop our roads, we also maintain them – this means fewer large, high-cost improvement projects will be needed in the future. We are taking the same approach with other county assets – our buildings are maintained and updated over time to create less negative economic and operational impact.
I also serve as Secretary/Treasurer for County Social Services. We have worked to make mental health services more available and crisis services have greatly improved. For the first time Wright County residents have face-to-face access to a trained mental health professional and tele-psych services are expanded in our emergency rooms for assessments. Other improvements also make it easier for our residents to get the help needed to avoid possible more serious interventions when neglected.
What do you feel are the biggest issues facing Wright County today?
We recognize that COVID-19 will continue to impact life in Wright County. I believe that we need to plan with adaptations due to health concerns in mind. Changes in our county public health programs will do that. We will ensure no residents are left without their current health needs met while transitioning the department to focus on the wider needs of all residents across the county.
As I mentioned earlier, our population is growing. The infrastructure in Wright County should be ready for future increased population and prepare for service industry growth that follows. Our leaders need to have a plan that keeps Wright County advancing rather than feeling burdened by growth. As much of this growth impacts our school districts, we should proactively support our schools and their needs.
What does the county need to do to address those issues and how would you help with that effort?
Our Wright County Public Health Department is already reorganizing to best serve the needs of all county residents as we advance into a future that includes the impact of COVID-19. I have served on the Wright County Board of Public Health for almost 10 years and will continue to help make sure this transition leaves no resident behind while maintaining and improving services to all residents across the county – for a broader positive impact.
In support of our schools, we need more initiatives like our county social service programs that bring mental health support into schools. Further, I bring a demonstrated ability to think out of the box and encourage incoming businesses that will affect our schools to financially offset the probable impact. I will continue to generate solutions to mitigate negative impact and build stronger infrastructure and relationships within the county.
If you are elected, what are your three biggest goals for your term?
I want to make Wright County an even better place to call home – for residents and business. My first goal would be to foster additional business growth for continued improvement of our economy. The supporting business and service industry development expected in Wright County should be ushered in with an organized plan for development. Through preparation, we can work to avoid some of the chaos that growth can bring – making it an ongoing positive occurrence.
Second, our county services must be supported and improved where necessary. As our county grows, so must our capabilities. It is important that we maintain fiscal responsibility while improving our proficiency through technological advancement and intelligent management of all available resources.
Finally, Wright County is a great place to live and raise a family. I believe it is incumbent on our leaders to not only maintain our quality of life, but to diligently work to improve it. That is what I have been doing and what will be a primary goal in all of my decisions moving forward.
