Meet the 2 candidates running to represent Polk County District 3 in Altoona, Ankeny

Democrat Kim Hagemann will face Republican Mark Holm for Polk County supervisor in District 3 in the general election.

In a primary upset, Holm, 48, won his party's nomination for District 3, unseating the three-term incumbent Supervisor Steve Van Oort. Results from the Polk County Auditor's office show Holm secured 69% of the votes, while Van Oort got 31%.

Holm and Hagemann, 60, who was uncontested for her party's nomination, will square off in November to represent Altoona, Ankeny and a portion of unincorporated Polk County.

To help voters, the Des Moines Register sent questions to all federal, Des Moines area legislative and local candidates running for political office this year. Their answers have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

The general election is scheduled for Nov. 5.

Learn More: Your Iowa Voter Guide 2024

Who is Kim Hagemann?

Age: 60

Party: Democrat

Grew up: Central Wisconsin

Current town of residence: Crocker Township/Polk City

Education: Bachelor of Science in soil and crop science from the University of Wisconsin Platteville. Graduate work in plant breeding and genetics from Iowa State University. Passed the patent bar and is a registered patent agent.

Occupation: Retired after working in the crop seed industry for over 30 years. She started out in biotech research and moved into intellectual property management, which entailed writing and prosecuting patent applications and then writing and negotiating research contracts for an international seed company.

Political experience and civic activities: She is an active Democrat and has volunteered for numerous political campaigns. She continually works for a better environment and is a member of various environmental groups. Recently, she led a team to engage and push the Polk County supervisors to act on a plan to reduce the county’s greenhouse gas emissions. This work led to passage of a resolution to decrease Polk County's operational greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040.

Who is Mark Holm?

Age: 48

Party: Republican

Grew up: Family farm close to Corydon

Current town of residence: Ankeny

Education: Bachelor of Arts in political science from Iowa State University

Occupation: Public service manager for Iowa Department of Transportation

Political experience and civic activities: Three years as mayor of the city of Ankeny, 10 years as City Council member (nine as mayor pro-tem), current chair of Metropolitan Planning Organization, Metro Waste Authority (past chair), Metro Advisory Council, Des Moines Partnership Board, Ankeny Area Chamber of Commerce, Ankeny Business & Industry Collaborate, Uptown Ankeny Association, Polk County Emergency Management and the Ankeny Historical Society.

What is the most important issue facing Polk County and how would you address it in office?

Hagemann: Growth. How we deal with development and land use will set the stage for the quality of life for decades to come. We can either stake out a plan that makes Polk County continually a better place to live, or we can let the momentum of current developers decide how and where we grow. We need to have conversations about smart growth and how certain policies are adding to suburban sprawl and substandard infrastructure. In the end, this will result in being financially unsustainable when the cost of maintenance for infrastructure outpaces our ability to keep taxes in-check.

Holm: The economy and jobs. Inflation is harming Iowa families daily and especially those Iowans on a fixed income. Polk County has seen a 52% increase in revenues over the past decade, but the levy rate has remained virtually unchanged. We should let Polk County homeowners and businesses keep more of their hard-earned money so they can reinvest that in their families, businesses, and communities. I am proud of my record in Ankeny, a record that demonstrates tax cuts work.

What new programs or initiatives would you advocate for under your leadership?

Hagemann: I would advocate for re-evaluation of how the board allocates all funds and particularly how it distributes grants from Prairie Meadows money. All money allocated should be focused on helping our communities for the long term. Grants should be targeted to public schools, fire departments, and emergency management services. Grants should be used to leverage federal money allocated for solar, energy efficiency, and electrification of transportation. This grant money has the ability to fund projects that could save local governments, school districts, and nonprofits millions of dollars in utility bills each year for decades to come.

Holm: Cut property taxes. Property taxes are the only tax not linked to an increase in income or what people spend. Property taxes are a drag on our families and businesses. With valuation increases, Polk County landowners are facing higher tax bills with the dollar not going as far. We need to cut property taxes.

How would you manage rising personal costs for taxpayers while maintaining a county budget that provides essential services to residents?

Hagemann: Every dollar spent by the board needs to be assessed on how it will benefit its residents today and in the long term. Projects done under the guise of “economic development” need to be more highly scrutinized. Who are these projects really benefitting? Projects that seem “great to do” at first look, may become a financial burden in the future. If the county promotes smart growth and makes one-time investments that save our communities money for decades to come, we can maintain our infrastructure and make our communities better without adding financial burden.

Holm: The city of Ankeny has doubled in population size since I was first elected, while the size of city government has not. In this time, we lowered the tax levy for nine years straight. We implemented fiscal changes that saved taxpayers money both short and long term. Along the way we found opportunities to expand fire, police, and EMS services to match the demands of our growth. We have approved labor agreements that address the economic challenges our country faces while being fiscally responsible with taxpayers’ money.

What is your approach to balancing the needs and interests of residents in growing cities and in small towns?

Hagemann: We need to look at the whole picture. Growth for growth’s sake is not a winning way for anyone. We need to look at the data available and best practices for a sustainable future. Livable communities that are safe, reduce congestion while increasing walkability and bike-ability and reduce risk of weather disasters such as flooding and power outages benefit us all. Balancing the needs of all involved will be best met when we make decisions that benefit people and the environment over the profit or wants of a few.

Holm: Needs of those in small towns are like the needs of those in growing cities. Clean water, proper liquid/solid waste disposal, recycling, and safe roads for our loved ones are imperative for all communities. Under my leadership, Ankeny has partnered with the surrounding communities to provide mutual aid assurances for timely EMS, police, and fire protection for all. Having grown up in a small town and now serving as the mayor of a growing city, I am mindful of the needs and interests of all communities big and small.

What steps would you take to address rising homelessness in Polk County?

Hagemann: Many of the root causes of homelessness are not under direct control of Polk County. For instance, increasing the minimum wage and using property taxes for mental health services have been taken away from the county by the state. That being said, a study published in February indicated that the county has a $20 million gap in funding for homelessness resources. The county should take a look at the study and start to prioritize needs and chart a path forward. Meanwhile, barriers to affordable housing need to be addressed by the county in partnership with the other local governments.

Holm: Homelessness is a complicated problem. But the first step is to try to prevent homelessness. Ensuring Polk County is a place where businesses can invest, grow, and create great jobs will help Polk County families. We need to reduce property taxes so it’s less expensive to own or rent in Polk County. As the mayor of Ankeny, I know cities play a key role in helping solve homelessness. Other key partners are the mental health system, substance abuse system, and law enforcement. We must have a combined effort investing in results driven practices to reduce homelessness and improve Polk County for everyone.

Virginia Barreda is the Des Moines city government reporter for the Register. She can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter at @vbarreda2.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: 2 candidates are running for Polk County supervisor in Altoona, Ankeny