On April 5, Iolans will participate in one of their most historic city elections in history, as they choose all eight members of a new city council and Iola’s next mayor.
Starting today, the Register will provide questions and answers asked recently of the candidates regarding various city issues.
Today’s focus is on the mayoral race.
What do you consider Iola’s strengths and why?
Bill Shirley — One of our biggest strengths is the work ethic of the people in our community. Even though we lost Haldex Brake (last year) our other industries are going full blast. We have a solid business district and a large group of caring people. When people need help, we help them and help each other. The 2007 flood is an example. We have plenty of support from our churches and the Iola Area Ministerial Association that helps people get back on their feet. We also have and will continue to have a strong school system. Iola Industries has worked well with the community to bring in new businesses.
Linda Sigg — Friendliness. Downtown cleanliness. Iola makes people feel welcome and happy to live here. The city department heads know their jobs and are able to handle problems when they occur. Our city administrator also is very capable of handling problems or provide research needed by the council to take care of city matters.
John Smith — Location, location, location. We are 100 miles from two major cities with big airports, major league baseball and professional football and a NASCAR racetrack. We are close enough to attend big-city events, but far enough away to enjoy a lifestyle without the hassle of living in a city.
What do you consider the city’s biggest challenges?
Linda Sigg — Electing a mayor, the eight council members and hiring a new city administrator. This is going to be a new learning experience and a new way of governing Iola. No one will be exempt from learning a new form of protocol.
John Smith — Attracting new jobs to help Iola grow. We need to create a business-friendly environment and educate city employees to the needs and wants of any new business wanting to locate in Iola.
Bill Shirley — We need to keep the industries we have and look for new ones to stop our population loss. We did lose a couple hundred residents from our last census, but frankly, I was happy it wasn’t more than that. I think that by 2020, we will have reversed that trend. We need to continue to find affordable housing to attract more people wanting jobs. I think the overwhelming vote to support a new hospital is proof that people want to bring more opportunities for Iola to grow.
What would you like to see the city do or offer more of in terms of services?
John Smith — I think the city has enough services at this time.
Bill Shirley — I’m satisfied with the services the city provides, and our employees do a good job of providing those services. Over the last couple of years, the city has done quite a bit more with our Recreation Department, and we’ve now gotten senior citizens involved. The swimming pool has been very active, and there were people who thought we should have moved the pool instead of rebuild at the park. I would certainly match our city’s services with any others across the state. When your power goes out, you have city employees out immediately to get it fixed.
Linda Sigg — Iola has a lot of programs that are for the betterment of our citizens, such as Hope Unlimited, The Farm, Thrive Allen County. These programs help enrich and protect Iola’s citizens.
Are there services the city offers that you would like to see removed, changed or handled by the private sector? If so, what?
Bill Shirley — None. It’s important to note that Iola has fewer employees now than it did even 10 years ago because of a hiring freeze. The city no longer handles dispatch services (those are now handled by the county), but even without counting those employees, our work force is still smaller.
Linda Sigg — None.
John Smith — We need to look at all possibilities. Mowing the city parks and cemeteries is one area we could look at.
What do you think the city administrator’s duties should be? (Those duties have been established through a charter ordinance. The new council has the right to establish new descriptions or duties, including possibly assigning some duties to the mayor.
Linda Sigg — The city administrator’s job description is pretty accurate. The administrator is expected to basically run the city and keep the council and mayor knowledgeable about any and everything that affects Iola. The administrator answers to the council and mayor.
John Smith — The city administrator’s duties should remain about the same.
Bill Shirley — The duties should remain the same.
What duties would you like to see the mayor assigned?
John Smith — The mayor should work very closely with the city administrator. I know my qualifications and capabilities would allow me to handle more duties, but Iola needs a city administrator.
Bill Shirley — The mayor’s duties should be to provide leadership and prepare agendas for the city council. The mayor also will serve as a spokesman for the city. The mayor should help work to ensure the wishes of the council are carried out.
Linda Sigg — I can’t answer that. Everything must come from the meetings with the new council and city administrator. The mayor’s duties will be outlined at that time. The one thing the mayor will do is be a face and voice for the city.
For years, Iola’s general operating budget has been supplemented with utility reserves to avoid property tax hikes. Do you support continuing the practice? What if doing away with the transfers could result in lower utility bills? What is your opinion of a higher property tax levy?
Bill Shirley — I do support the transfers because many of the people who use our utilities live outside the city limits. It brings in more dollars for the city more easily than what we could provide through property taxes. It’s the fair thing to do, and our utility rates are still among the lowest in the state. And we provide good utilities. I’ve worked with four city administrators, and they’ve all wanted to raise taxes, yet we’ve been able to avoid doing just that.
Linda Sigg — At this time, I believe the operating budget should not be supplemented with utility reserves. If taxes had a higher levy, utility bills could be lower. It would save residents considerably on their utility bills.
John Smith — No one likes higher taxes, but we need to look at all possibilities.
Do you favor offering tax abatements or other incentives for new businesses or homeowners to build anew or remodel their properties? Should more incentives be offered? Less? Why?
