Elect Rick Smith

As I reflect on my campaign I am so grateful to those who supported me. Unfortunately we weren't able to come away with the win.

As with any disappointment the mind immediately goes to what could have been and what may have been the cause. I won't dwell on this. It is not in my nature to spend my time on anything but moving forward.

What does this mean?

It means that I will continue to work hard and dedicate myself to the positions and causes I am a part of.

This includes the City Council, Hospital Board of Commissioners, Hospital Foundation Board, Chamber Main Street Board, Kiwanis, Grundy Center Development Corporation Board, AMVETS, and the Legion.

Public service is not about what you may receive, it is about what you are able to give.

If you see me around, there is no reason to offer me consolation. Let us get busy making Grundy Center a better place. It has been an honor work with many of you and this will continue.

Congratulations to my opponent. I hope he is an asset to the county and makes good decisions. Make sure you make your voice heard when it comes to county issues. This is very important. I have always found it strange that we see far more people at city council than we do at the county supervisor meetings. This needs to change. Hold your representatives accountable for their decisions.

Rick

The polls are open!
Today is the day that you can make your voice heard.

Please take the time to head to the Grundy Center community center and cast your vote.

I encourage you to vote for experience, dedication and a history of leadership.

Thank you so much for your support. Let's go out and win this election!

You may vote any time between 7 AM and 8 PM.

As we approach the June 4 primary election, please make an effort to go to the polls and cast your vote. Every vote matters in this important election.

Your support means everything to me.

Throughout my campaign, I have been adamant that my message is one of positivity - speaking of my experience, dedication, and accomplishments as a dedicated public servant and volunteer.

I have been attending county supervisor meetings since last August.

It has come to my attention that my opponent is alleging that I received favoritism when I was given the link to attend the county supervisor meeting virtually while in Texas, attending my niece and nephew's high school graduation. I am certain that if my opponent had asked for the link to attend the meeting, he would have been afforded the same opportunity.

I firmly believe that my attendance while out of town speaks to my dedication and nothing more.

I support making all county supervisor meetings open to the public via the Internet. During my time as a city councilman, meetings have been available online, and we have welcomed public participation.

The fact that I am running for County Supervisor in District 5, a seat my mother currently holds, is an example of a legacy of service and self-sacrifice. Throughout my life, Barb has been a shining example of the value of honest and effective public service. This is why I choose to serve and dedicate my free time to the many volunteer organizations I have been a part of. This is why I am running for county supervisor.

I feel that I can make a difference, just as she has. I would be honored to join the members of the board of supervisors, adding my knowledge and experience to their considerable talents.

Our county is ranked among the best in the state of Iowa in many categories, and we need to maintain this excellence.

You may vote during normal courthouse business hours today (Friday), Saturday, and Monday.
The polls will be open on June 4, election day, from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

Please make a plan to vote in the June 4 primary election!

Some reminders:

1. Bring your ID: Iowa law requires voters to present a valid form of identification at the polls.

2. Make a plan: Find a time that works best for you to vote. Assisting others with transportation is a great way to help turn out as many voters as possible.

3. Spread the word: This primary election will determine who will represent you on the ballot in November, and it is important that your voice is heard!

Dates to remember:
5/15: In-person absentee voting started.
6/3: In-person absentee voting ends.
6/4: Primary election day! (Grundy Center Community Center). Election day hours: 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

You may now vote early at the county auditor's office between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM.

A quick reminder regarding important election dates:

May 15 (today) is the first day voters may vote absentee in their county auditor's office.
May 20 is the last day to request a mailed absentee ballot.

Absentee Voting Business filing uploads have now moved into Fast Track Filing. You will be redirected to Fast Track Filing in 10 seconds.

Thank you so much for the support many of you have shown for my campaign. It truly warms my heart.
I have enjoyed talking to everyone about my policy positions and my story as a volunteer and public servant.

Important dates to remember:

First day voters may vote absentee in their county auditor's office: May 15th.
Last day to cast an absentee ballot in person at the county auditor's office: June 3.
Last day to request a mailed absentee ballot: May 20th.

In addition to regular hours, the county auditor's office will be open for absentee voting on Saturday, June 1.

The following link will take you to the Iowa absentee voting information site.

Absentee Voting Business filing uploads have now moved into Fast Track Filing. You will be redirected to Fast Track Filing in 10 seconds.

Monday Missive:

Do you understand how property taxes are calculated in the state of Iowa?

In short, it is complicated. Let me try to explain.

The property tax cycle in Iowa takes a total of 18 months from start to finish.
The first step begins with the local assessor determining the assessed values and the classification of individual parcels of property, January 1st of the assessment year.

The first half payment for property taxes related to this assessment is due in the fall of the next year and the second half payment is due in the spring of the year following the first half payment.

Example: The assessment for January 2024 would have associated taxes due in the fall of 2025 and the spring of 2026.

The county auditor then determines levy rates based on budgets provided by levying authorities (example: county, city, school district).

What are rollbacks? The state of Iowa sets a rollback percentage every year.
This rollback percentage represents the portion of your assessed value that is subject to taxation.

In other words, if you own residential property worth $100,000 and the rollback percentage is 56%, you will be taxed on a valuation of $56,000. The rollback adjustments are a mechanism that the state uses to prevent large property tax increases as real estate values climb.

Thanks for reading, I hope this was helpful!

Questions and answers regarding my candidacy:

Why am I running?
My goal is to contribute positively to the entire county through effective governance, conservative fiscal management, and fair treatment of all county staff. I believe in the value of fresh perspectives and I am enthusiastic about addressing our county's needs using innovative approaches. I believe that my skills and experience are well suited for governance at the county level.

Top Issues/Concerns:

Taxes: I pledge to continue to work to keep taxes as low as possible. I am especially mindful of the impact of ever increasing taxes on our fixed income residents, who represent over 20% of Grundy County's population. It's imperative that we maintain low taxes to safeguard the quality of life for every member of our community in Grundy County.

Openness and Transparency: It's crucial that we employ the most efficient means available to ensure the people of Grundy County are well-informed about their government's operations. This could involve offering online accessibility to Board of Supervisors meetings or exploring additional avenues.

Fairness: Ensuring fair treatment of county employees is a top priority for me. I firmly believe that supervisors must listen to, empathize with, and appropriately address the concerns raised by our employees where possible.

If you have questions of me, please add a comment to this post!

If anyone would like to host a yard sign please let me know. Thank you!