Republican Mark Holm wins Polk County supervisor seat in Ankeny, Altoona

Republican Mark Holm will represent District 3 on the Polk County Board of Supervisors.

Holm secured 53.8% of the votes, according to unofficial results. Democratic opponent Kim Hagemann received 46%, the unofficial results show.

Holm, 48, the mayor of Ankeny and a public service manager for the Iowa Department of Transportation, said he ran for supervisor to lower the county's tax levy and promote fiscal responsibility and good government.

Holm said he was happy with his results and credited his opponent's efforts in the election.

He said he plans to "right the ship" and hopes to find mutual understanding and respect on what's been a divided board. Holm added he wants to ensure Polk County residents are represented in the "honest, decent way that they expect from people who hold elected office."

Holm will represent Altoona, Ankeny and a portion of unincorporated Polk County. Two of the five seats on the board ― Districts 2 and 3 ― will see new representation following the election.

In a June primary upset, Holm won his party's nomination for District 3, besting three-term incumbent supervisor Steve Van Oort. Hagemann, 60, who ran uncontested in the primary, wanted to ensure "smart and sustainable" growth in the county.

More: Where Polk County supervisor candidates in Altoona, Ankeny stand on property taxes, growth

Holm prioritizes property tax cuts, economy in Polk County

Holm, who listed the economy, jobs and fiscal responsibility as his chief priorities, said maintaining budgets is about having discipline and a vision.

Polk County has seen a 52% increase in revenues over the past decade, but the levy rate has remained virtually unchanged, Holm said in a Register questionnaire. Holm said he will cut property taxes, which are a "drag on our families and businesses."

"We need to work collaboratively at the county, city level and state and federal level, to work on minimizing people's taxes so they can afford to live in the houses they've lived in," he said at a Register editorial board meeting.

Holm touted his record as Ankeny mayor, saying the suburb has worked within its means amid its tremendous growth by paying off debt while also lowering its tax levy, as well as bulking up crucial services like fire and police.

How will Holm change the face of the Polk County Board of Supervisors?

Holm said there's a lot of background noise on the board. But at the end of the day, it's the supervisors' job to find a way to work together for the good of the constituents.

"You have to be able to transcend little comments and nuances and things and focus on long term, what the best solution is for everybody," he said. "We need to provide a good government, respectful government, that people can look up to and not be ashamed of. And that's what I want to do."

Holm, who lives in Ankeny, has served as the city's mayor for three years and was on the Ankeny City Council for 10 years. Holm also serves as the chair for the Metropolitan Planning Organization, is past chair of the Metro Waste Authority, and sits on the Metro Advisory Council.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

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: Republican Mark Holm wins Polk County supervisor in Ankeny, Altoona