Heather Knebel.

Ahead of the Nov. 5, 2024 General Election, Tama-Grundy Publishing correspondent Michael Davis sent questionnaires to all the candidates running for the Tama County Board of Supervisors. This week we feature responses from Heather Knebel who is running for District 3 as a Republican and Curt Hilmer who is running for District 1 as a Republican. Both are running unopposed in their respective races. Click here for Hilmer’s responses.

Heather Knebel, 35, is running unopposed as the Republican nominee for Supervisor District 3. Knebel is a resident of rural Traer where she lives with her husband Aaron, son Emmitt, and daughter Ellie May. She works as a supply management specialist at John Deere while also owning/managing a trucking/freight brokerage. After graduating from North Tama High School in 2007, Knebel, the daughter of Dennis and Jean Wilson, received her Bachelor of Arts in finance-financial services from the University of Northern Iowa.

District 3 includes the townships of Spring Creek, Crystal, and Perry, and parts of far northern Carlton (excluding Garwin) and Howard. The district encompasses the communities of Gladbrook and Traer.

Barring what would need to be an unprecedented write-in vote, Knebel will become the first woman elected to the board of supervisors in Tama County history.

1. What is something that you wish to change in your role as county supervisor?

If elected as a Tama County Supervisor, I will follow the Iowa Code. I will openly discuss topics in the public meetings with the other supervisors. I will allow the public to speak on any items they choose instead of just agenda items. I will review material prior to meetings and do my research before approving anything. I will have the meetings livestreamed via zoom and post on the website for people that cannot attend. I will allow the citizen appointed zoning commission to meet on any county ordinances as needed to keep them up to date. I will ensure employees in all functions have what they need to do their jobs, as well as be recognized. Multiple bids will be sent out to contractors and banks to ensure the county is getting the best price or interest rate. I will use the elected Tama County Attorney for legal advice instead of using an outside attorney. I will meet with each department to find cost savings and ways to streamline their job. The budget is a large area of focus that needs thoroughly reviewed.

2. What is the largest issue facing Tama County today, in your opinion?

The wind/solar topic is still the largest issue in the county. I would enact a moratorium to give the county time to research and update ordinances. We need to come together as a county, discuss these issues, and find solutions that the majority of taxpayers want. I would do a deep dive of the budget. I will reach out to other counties of similar size and compare our budgets. I will find ways to reduce waste or implement improvements to streamline the systems employees use. Roads are a big concern for many people. Whether it’s putting down clean rock, hauling from higher quality quarries, or ensuring roads are kept maintained adequately.

3. Why is 5 supervisors better than 3?

I believe Tama County should remain as a 5-member board as voters approved by 62% on the 2022 election ballot. Out of 99 counties, Tama County ranked as the 9th largest county based on land area, not on population. Having 5 supervisors helps to bring unique perspectives from the different areas of Tama County. Our neighboring county, Grundy County, has 5 supervisors and it’s been working very well for them. With 5 supervisors instead of 3, a supervisor has more time to focus on their district, talk to residents, understand their concerns, and do their research. There are 5 highly qualified candidates running on the Republican ticket and they have improvements that if elected and put into place, will quickly save money in 2025 to offset this increase.

4. Do you think wind energy has a place in Tama County?

No. I personally do not believe industrial wind energy has a place in Tama County. Small personal wind energy to power a hog confinement for example is fine but not industrial. I do not believe the majority of residents want wind energy in Tama County either. I was elected during the primary election with 64.4% of votes. I know that not everyone voted solely on the wind topic, but overall, candidates against wind energy were voted in during the primary election in the county across all open seats. It’s time for Tama County Supervisors to listen and act accordingly to what the people want. We already have the Vienna Wind Farm in Gladbrook and the county is now paying back the upfront amount they took on this project. I do believe that a landowner should be able to do what they want on their land but not if it infringes on their neighbor. I’m a firm believer in the 2nd greatest commandment to love your neighbor. An acreage owner shouldn’t have to live with a 500+ foot turbine right next to their house. At what point do we go back to being a community that takes care of one another and cares about others’ well being and livelihood. I do want to listen to and learn from the farmers that are struggling with higher taxes and find solutions to help. I am a farmer’s daughter and I completely get the up and down years of farming. At the end of the day, we are stewards to God’s land. We have some of the best black dirt and land in the entire world. It deserves to be protected. Developers are leasing entire fields, not just the turbine location. These easements can be sold to anyone they choose, including foreign countries. It’s a real issue that Iowa is facing right now. If eminent domain or the state taking over the permit process ever becomes reality, know that I will fight for all landowners. I will go to the state capital and talk with legislators. I will protect Tama County citizens to the best of my ability.

5. Why do you wish to be a supervisor?

I am running for Tama County Supervisor because I wholeheartedly care about Tama County and the people that live here. I believe we have some of the best agricultural land in the world, thriving small-town businesses, and a county that I want to see prosper for years to come. I want my kids to have the same freedoms and livelihood that I did. The very old and outdated ordinances need updated on wind and solar to protect all landowners and the county. Technology changes and a county must update ordinances in parallel to protect land, livestock, wildlife, and people. I want to save taxpayers money and make sound business decisions for the county. I really want to find a better solution for our gravel roads. I will work with other counties to find the best way to do this. Learning from others is a key to success. I want to bring back transparency and open discussions at Board of Supervisor meetings. I feel a supervisor should listen to their constituents, even if they don’t agree with them, to find out their concerns and come up with solutions.

6. Why do you think the job of a supervisor is important?

A county supervisor’s duty is to “protect and preserve the rights, privileges, and property of the county or of its residents, and to preserve and improve the peace, safety, health, welfare, comfort, and convenience of its residents.” This is one of the main reasons I am running. A county supervisor’s role is to listen to what the people in their district are saying, and act accordingly. The current board won’t listen to the people, isn’t allowing the zoning commission to meet on the wind ordinance, and won’t protect the people after a public outcry on wind turbines, solar, and septic issues. There is a risk of health, property value being lost, and the county not being covered by decommissioning of wind turbines. The budget is another area that is critical for a supervisor to understand, challenge, ask questions, and ensure taxpayers are being taken care of. A Supervisor also is responsible for gravel and ensuring that our several hundred miles of gravel roads are taken care of. I have a strong desire to protect and preserve Tama County and its residents now, and for future generations.

7. What are your thoughts on EMS becoming an essential service in Tama County?

I strongly agree that EMS is essential to Tama County. I have seen the Traer Ambulance Service having members working hours on end and having a hard time getting people to volunteer. Having EMS as an essential service will provide funds to be used for supplies and to hire EMS employees, instead of volunteers. We all want to ensure an ambulance can get to our house or a family member’s house, in a timely manner during an emergency. A survey was sent out to 17,000 homes in Tama County by members of the Advisory board, to determine property taxpayers’ willingness to fund EMS as essential through a tax levy. The survey had 981 responses and 70% of responses said yes, they’re willing to pay taxes to fund EMS as essential. The role of a Supervisor is to do what the majority of taxpayers want. This question will be on the 2024 general election ballot. If the people vote “yes” then EMS is essential to taxpayers. I will fully support and work with the Advisory board yearly if the levy needs to be adjusted based on needs.

8. If you had a superpower, what superpower would you have?

When I was younger, I always wanted to be able to fly for a superpower. As I get older, it has changed slightly. My superpower would be to snap my fingers and be somewhere instantly. I love to see the country and world, but the time to pack and travel is not always the most fun. God made a beautiful world, and I would love to see it all. Of course, my family would need to be able to come with me.

9. You are stranded on a desert island with one snack and one movie; what are they?

Picking one snack is a hard one. I’m more of a main course girl. I love Mexican food so I would say guacamole and chips or we could call street tacos a snack and pick those. For a movie, I would pick “Christmas Vacation.” I could watch this every day and it would never get old!

10. If voters wish to ask you a question, how would they contact you?

You can reach out to me on my Facebook page “Heather Knebel for Tama County Supervisor” or email me at knebelforsupervisor@gmail.com.