Transparency promised as new Polk County supervisors are sworn in, new chair appointed

Amid heavy snow and slush, newly elected representatives Jill Altringer and Mark Holm were sworn in to the Polk County Board of Supervisors on Thursday morning during the first board meeting of the new year.

The board also elected supervisor Matt McCoy to replace supervisor Angela Connolly as its chair. Supervisor Tom Hockensmith abstained from the vote.

Altringer was unanimously elected the board’s vice chair.

Altringer, 49, an attorney, clinched a narrow win in the November election against Democratic challenger John Forbes to represent District 2. Meanwhile, Holm, 48, the former mayor of Ankeny and a public service manager for the Iowa Department of Transportation, bested Democratic opponent Kim Hagemann to represent District 3.

Altringer’s and Holm’s seats, which make up two of the five spots on the board, signal new leadership in what was a longtime incumbent board.

Altringer will represent Urbandale, Johnston, Grimes, Polk City, Alleman, Sheldahl, Elkhart, Bondurant, Mitchellville and unincorporated portions of Polk County. Holm will represent Altoona, Ankeny and a portion of unincorporated Polk County.

On Thursday, McCoy welcomed the two new members, saying he looked forward to delivering change “voters have thirsted for” ― namely a call for transparency in government.

“One of the central reasons that I think people don’t engage with Polk County is for too long, I think decisions have been made behind closed doors, separate and apart from residents who would otherwise like to see dialog happen in open, public forums,” McCoy said. “It’s imperative that we restore confidence and trust by making our decisions in full public display and adhere to the spirit and intent of Iowa’s open meetings law.”

The voters, he added, “clearly voted for change. And we all ran as change agents. Change we must deliver.”

Also sworn in Thursday were long-standing auditor Jamie Fitzgerald and Sheriff Kevin Schneider, who have served in their roles since 2007 and 2018, respectively.

What are Altringer’s, Holm’s priorities?

On the campaign trail, Altringer said she wanted to bring a working family’s perspective to the board. She ran on issues such as lowering property taxes, government transparency and outdoor recreation for mental health.

Altringer said Thursday that despite having a party next to her name, she believes the supervisors all are committed to making Polk County a better place.

“And what I heard from people when I was talking to them, when I was meeting them at the door, when I was on the parade route is that people wanted me to address property tax, fiscal responsibility, transparency,” Altringer said. “Most of all, they said, they didn’t want (it) to be partisan. And I believe in that.”

Holm said he ran for supervisor to lower the county’s tax levy and promote fiscal responsibility and good government. He said Thursday that transparency will be a priority, just as it was while he served as mayor of Ankeny.

“That’s the No. 1 thing I heard on the campaign trail was people didn’t think the county was very transparent, whether that’s true or not. I know what I’m learning is there’s a lot of misinformation about what goes on and rumors,” he said. “And it just needs to be, open up the curtains, let the sunshine in … and let people see their government.”

Polk County braces for financial challenges

In an effort to demand accountability from all departments, McCoy said the county will be looking for ways county employees can offer feedback, criticism and opportunities to save money. He said he hopes the prospective program could offer incentives to employees whose suggestions are adopted.

And, he added, the public and media will have access to contracts and agreements that have not previously been included in public agendas.

McCoy also painted a grim picture of the county’s upcoming financial challenges, pointing to growth and tax base limits imposed by the state Legislature and the near end of federal COVID-19 dollars that helped pay for one-time programs and initiatives.

“Future commitments to these initiatives are undetermined, but most certainly we can be assured that we will be asked to do more with less federal dollars flowing to local governments,” he said.

He commended Altringer and Holm, saying their past leadership will be invaluable as the county tackles “regionalism (and) a growing population, whose demand for services and efficiency in government will compete with shrinking budgets and new challenges caring for our most vulnerable residents.”

“Clearly, you represent the future as new leaders with your new perspectives and new voices at the board table,” he told the representatives.

Virginia Barreda is the Des Moines city government reporter for the Register. She can be reached at vbarreda@dmreg.com. Follow her on Twitter at @vbarreda2.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Jill Altringer, Mark Holm sworn in to Polk County Board of Supervisors

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