ON THE BALLOT: Jefferson County Supervisor

Dee Sandquist

Family: Husband, three children, three grandchildren

Occupation: Current Jefferson County supervisor, family farmer and retired registered dietitian

Political Experience: As a current Jefferson County supervisor my experience has found this job is focused on providing services to county residents and does not have the political divisions found at the state and federal level.

Why are you running for office?

We must ask ourselves, 'What type of county do we want to live in?” and then have the courage to take action. Creating opportunities for people to live and work here demands clear and effective leadership. We have a diverse county, and I am a catalyst that bridges our rural, farm, city and academic communities. I see the big picture and have the leadership skills to connect people and services to make efficient use of tax dollars. I care about this county and want to make a positive difference.

What are your priorities if elected?

Roads, emergency services, ambulance, mental health, public health and safety are priorities. I will continue to support economic development which includes childcare, housing, and workforce and work to support existing businesses and welcome new ones. My vision is to develop a system to coordinate with the jail, mental health, substance abuse services and the court system to prepare people to function in the workforce. I supported going from a subjective to objective system for cleaning up nuisance properties and the work needs to continue in this area.

Do you think the county has done well in managing taxpayer money, and if not, how would you have spent it differently?

Yes. Many people are on a fixed income, and it's important to make cost effective use of tax dollars. I'm known as the supervisor who asks, 'What's the result for this money? How is it measured?” This year, the supervisors led by example and reduced our budget by $150,000. I look for budgets that prioritize needs vs. wants and evaluate the return on investment. I believe in working with other to accomplish more and if re-elected will host a meeting of all county taxing entities so we can learn projects that affect the overall taxes that county residents pay.

If you are elected to office in November, how should we judge whether your time in office has been a success at the end of those four years?

My definition of success will be based on how well we are all working together to improve our county in a cost effective manner. This takes listening to the public, meaningful conversations and a willingness to find solutions to issues while maintaining fiscal responsibility. A healthy and thriving local economy and tax base is based on building a strong workforce and providing resources to support that workforce, such as affordable housing and childcare. My vision is to create a well-governed, connected and thriving community.