(Q) - Please introduce yourself to our readers. What experiences in your career, community involvement and public service have prepared you to serve on the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors?
(A) - I am Kolby DeWitt, the Republican nominee for the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors (District 4). I am a lifelong resident of Sioux City and Woodbury County. This has always been home, I remain here by choice, and this is where Jessica and I are raising 7 children. I’ve spent the past several years making government more accessible to the people in the different roles I’ve had. My community and public service also include serving as the President of the Western Iowa Tech Community College Alumni Association, former Public Member and Secretary of the Iowa Architectural Examining Board, former Vice Chairman of the City of Sioux City’s Effective Fiscal and Public Policy Committee, and much more.
(Q) - Why are you seeking election to the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors, and what would be your three highest priorities if elected?
(A) - Woodbury County has done an exceptional job of financial defense over the past several years. This is evidenced by their balanced budget of more than $72 million, and efforts in cutting or holding the levy for 12 straight years, bringing it to $7.11 per thousand dollars of assessed value. The priority should be to continue this trend.
Secondly, I’d like to work towards more financial offense. This can be obtained through economic development and growth, and also exploring new forms of energy and industry. I applaud the county’s forward-thinking efforts in exploring modular nuclear.
Thirdly, I’d seek to foster a Culture of Excellence within the county. It is an honor to earn taxpayer dollars. We should take care of county employees, who, in turn, should never forget taxpayer intent and be judicious with their funds.
(Q) - Property taxes and the cost of local government remain concerns for many Woodbury County residents. How would you approach the county budget and property taxes while maintaining essential services, and where do you believe the county could become more efficient?
(A) - I think the voters I’m speaking to on a regular basis aren’t looking for a major directional shift. They want a deliberative board that communicates with each other, with department heads and employees, and with the citizens.
So if we’re facing pressure from the 2% limitation, my first response isn’t going to be, “Which service are we going to cut?”, but rather, “How do we operate more efficiently?”
I’d like to increase proactive outreach, much like I’m doing in my current job. I want to show up in places that maybe haven’t seen a supervisor, or haven’t seen one in a long time, and hear directly from the people doing the work and the people receiving those services.
My philosophy is pretty simple: before we ask taxpayers for more, or take something away from them, we should make absolutely sure we’re using what we already have as effectively as possible.
(Q) - Maintaining roads, bridges and other infrastructure is particularly important to rural residents, farmers and businesses. What should Woodbury County’s priorities be for maintaining and improving its infrastructure, and how would you balance those needs with other demands on the county budget?
(A) - Woodbury County has over 1,300 miles of secondary roads, and nearly 300 bridges. Farm-to-Market roads make up almost 400 of these miles, with gravel roads accounting for almost 1,000. Furthermore, Woodbury County is home to 15 incorporated communities, making it one of the most expansive and interconnected counties in Iowa.
One example worth exploring is whether properly engineered culverts can serve as a cost-effective alternative to certain small bridges. I’ve heard concerns that state funding rules can make that option financially impractical, even where it may be technically suitable, and could save both the state and county significant money and time. If that’s the case, I think we should work with our state legislators and the DOT to address it.
(Q) - Public safety represents a significant responsibility and expense for county government, including the Sheriff’s Office, jail, emergency management and other services. How would you approach funding public safety while ensuring taxpayers receive effective and accountable services?
(A) - Public safety has been a top-of-mind concern for me long before ever running for public office. I’m grateful to live in Sioux City, where police, fire, or ambulance are likely only a few minutes away. However, I think of the people in Danbury, Oto, and Smithland, who are in the farther reaches of rural Woodbury County. Many people desire to live in these smaller communities and have less expectation of services than residents of a larger city, but emergency services and management is probably the last place I’d go looking to make cuts. That being said, even the best budgets and expense reports need a second set of eyes and a fresh look from time-to-time, but this isn’t the portfolio to set arbitrary expectations and goals for any cuts.
(Q) - Economic development can bring jobs and additional tax revenue, but major development proposals can also raise concerns involving land use, infrastructure, agriculture, utilities and quality of life. What factors should supervisors consider when evaluating significant economic development projects proposed for Woodbury County?
(A) - Woodbury County currently does not have its own economic development director. To put that in perspective: Hull, Iowa, with a population of roughly 2,300, has an economic development director. Most every town in Sioux County has their own director.
I’m not suggesting we need to copy Hull. Through my work, I’ve come to believe that some of the strongest economic development is through a broader, regional approach. One community “catching the big fish” doesn’t prohibit the region from benefiting.
Woodbury County works with The Siouxland Initiative on economic development efforts, and I think that regional approach, and tapping into their expertise has value.
But partnership shouldn’t mean simply handing the responsibility to somebody else. The County needs to have a strong voice, understand what’s happening, help identify opportunities and make sure our infrastructure and policies are supporting growth.
We must be active participants in our own economic future and destiny.
(Q) - Land-use decisions can directly affect farmers, rural homeowners, businesses and nearby communities. How would you balance private property rights and economic development with the county’s responsibility to address zoning, agricultural land preservation, infrastructure demands and the concerns of neighboring property owners?
(A) - Woodbury County and agriculture go hand-in-hand. Agriculture isn’t simply one industry among many here; it’s a fundamental part of our economy and our way of life.
We have a strong advocate for agriculture on the current Board in Mark Nelson, and I appreciate that. But that shouldn’t be a responsibility one supervisor has to carry individually.
I’ve been to and through every community in the county before and since announcing my candidacy. I think that same approach needs to apply to our agricultural producers. I want an open line of communication with farmers, producers, landowners, and agricultural workers throughout my time on the Board, not just when there’s a controversy.
At the same time, the Board has to balance legitimate interests. Property owners deserve to have their rights respected, development has to be planned responsibly, and we have responsibilities involving roads, drainage, environmental protection and other county services.
(Q) - Woodbury County includes Sioux City as well as smaller communities and large rural areas with different needs and priorities. How would you make sure communities such as Sergeant Bluff, Salix, Sloan and other areas outside Sioux City receive appropriate attention when county resources and services are allocated?
(A) - This is something I’ve aimed to accomplish throughout my career, and especially in my candidacy. Between my nomination on June 27th and my answering of this questionnaire, I’ve visited 12 city council meetings, and been in touch with people in all parts of Woodbury County. I’d aim to visit the city council of each community at least once each calendar year (Sergeant Bluff may prove difficult, given the overlap with the Board of Supervisor’s meeting). Being in contact with them, and they with me, will go a long way towards the representation they require and deserve. Additionally, dialogue is much better when there’s familiarity entering the discussion, instead of only meeting when there is some crisis. Maintaining that rapport and collaboration with the communities of Woodbury County is something I’d cherish.
The first call of a Supervisor into a community shouldn’t be once there’s a disaster or emergency.
(Q) - Residents expect major county decisions to be made openly and with meaningful opportunities for public input. What would you do as a supervisor to promote transparency, communicate with constituents and ensure residents have an opportunity to be heard before significant decisions are made?
(A) - The Board of Supervisors started the tradition of taking at least one board meeting per year “on the road.” I joined the meeting and tour of Anthon in the spring, and would like to see this continued and possibly grown. Similarly, the Planning and Zoning Department should be commended for their outreach lately, particularly on the topics of data centers and modular nuclear.
The best public servants are curious people, eager to learn about and dive into topics of all varieties. That is the spirit I’ve honed and seek to continue should I be elected to the Board of Supervisors.
(Q) - A supervisor is elected from a particular district but makes decisions affecting all of Woodbury County. How would you balance your responsibility to represent your district with your obligation to consider what is best for the county as a whole, particularly when those interests may conflict?
(A) - As of today, I’ve attended city council meetings in 12 of Woodbury County’s 15 incorporated communities, and I’ve received endorsements from elected officials in 14 of the 15—the exception being Oto, which has a population of about 72. I haven’t given up on them yet!
But that isn’t just a campaign talking point. My goal has been to build those relationships before I’m in office. My first call into a community shouldn’t be when there’s a crisis.
A county supervisor has to balance the needs of Sioux City, our smaller communities and our rural residents. The good news is that Woodbury County is interconnected. What benefits one part of the county often benefits another, and I think having those relationships already established will help me make decisions with the entire county in mind.
