Mower County’s proposed multipurpose building, its surplus funds and communications with county workers and residents generated the bulk of comments during a spirited TV debate Monday night among the five candidates for the Fifth District seat on the county board.

Wednesday, February 21, 2001

Mower County’s proposed multipurpose building, its surplus funds and communications with county workers and residents generated the bulk of comments during a spirited TV debate Monday night among the five candidates for the Fifth District seat on the county board.

The live forum was sponsored by the Austin League of Women Voters and KSMQ-TV in order to "present issues of importance to voters," KSMQ’s Patrick Rasmussen said as he moderated the event.

Dick Chaffee, an Austin city councilman-at-large, said in his opening statement that he "is neither retired from nor currently employed by the Mower County government." Chaffee is self-employed.

"I will always vote Austin’s interest first," said Chaffee, who stressed his knowledge of the issues through his work with the city. Chaffee said that although the population of the county is 37,000, 60 percent of the population lives in Austin and pays 50 percent of the tax base.

Candidate Donna Olson, a League of Women Voters member, said if elected it would be her privilege to give back to the community where she raised her children. She said that although she is aware of the population breakdown of the county, she plans "to keep the larger picture of Mower County as a whole" in mind.

Austin School Board member Richard Lees said he has worked for the county for the last six years as a probation officer and in human services and court administration. He added that he taught at Riverland Community College in earth sciences.

Former Mower County Chief Deputy Garry Ellingson said he is proud to have been employed by the county for 34 years. Through working in the civil department, he also has become familiar with "how the city does things," he said.

"I have worked with the county board," Ellingson said. "I have also worked with the county board and with (retired Fifth District Commissioner) Gary Nemitz over the last several years. I am familiar with the county."

Retired Austin Fire Department Capt. David Tschann said his experience in two part-time positions – bailiff and guardian ad lidem, which is an advocate for children in court proceedings – have given him experience in working with county issues.

"I would have time to devote to the position," Tschann said. "And I’m a good listener."

Most of the commissioner candidates said they feel the arena project should move forward now.

"There’s no doubt we need another sheet of ice," Olson said, whose daughter rose early when she was in school to use the ice at Riverside Arena.

"By downsizing and using a geothermal system for two sheets of ice, the cost of operation is considerably cheaper than the current arena," Chaffee said.

Tschann said he has heard some reservations about the project from people in the outlying areas of the county.

The only individual who seemed to be concerned about going ahead was Ellingson.

"It is a troubling question for me," Ellingson said. "I have a problem with the question of ‘Are there other ways of doing this?’"

He stressed more input is necessary from the individuals who plan to fund the project.

"I hate to see money wasted," he added.

A viewer asked the group whether they would favor moving the arena project to the Cook Farm area. All agreed that prospect would be costly, what with the infrastructure required to run the arena.

Ellingson cautioned of a future problem the arena may pose. If, at some point in the distant future, the county decides to sell the fairgrounds land to make way for a housing development, the arena would stand in the way of that development: "If it’s put in, it couldn’t move out."

Lees suggested the county design a five-year plan of improvement for the buildings at the fairgrounds, to bring them to an acceptable state of repair and keep the costs of improvement low and spread over a period of years.

The cost of the multipurpose building raised another discussion.

Chaffee said the budgeted amount should be adhered to, while Tschann agreed.

"If we keep downgrading, all we’ll end up with is a glorified pole shed," Ellingson said of the recent adjustments to the project design. "We’ve gotta spend money to make money." Ellingson added – even with a budget of $5 million, the project will have cost overruns, to which Chaffee disagreed.

"We’ve had a lot of construction in this town and all have been done on time and been within budget," Chaffee said. "It can be done. It just requires putting funds together in a fashion that makes some sense."

Lees said the project should be kept within the $5 million range and added the 2000 financing audit has not come back yet and so the $24 million undesignated county funds may actually be $13 million.

Chaffee stressed the $24 million was stated as undesignated funds during the Truth in Taxation meeting, with a total of $33 million in reserve.

When asked whether they would have a problem resigning their positions with the Austin City Council and Independent School District No. 592, respectively, Chaffee and Lees said they would not have a problem moving on and leaving their current positions behind.

"The city of Austin council has a good handle on the issues," Chaffee said. "I am comfortable somebody may step up into the vacant position."

Although Lees said he would leave the school board, "I will still work with the school in many areas."

All candidates said they have schedules that will be flexible enough to accommodate the meetings required of a county commissioner.

Although she works full time for Weyerhaeuser Co., Olson said she has sat down with her employer and walked through the demands of a commissioner.

"It is not an issue," she said.

As to ways to improve communication, Chaffee suggested nighttime meetings. Olson and Ellingson said those had been tried and did not show improved attendance. Lees said a "meet and confer" should be held with department heads and Tschann agreed.

All agreed increased discussion among county employees will serve the citizens of the county better.

Each expressed what their priorities are for the county: Tschann said the court system and social services; Ellingson said the arena, the court system and the Belwyn Addition; Lees also said the arena and social services, including facilitators like mentors and nurses, and added flooding and cultural exchange to the list; Olson said infrastructure, like roads and bridges, and flooding will be her priorities; and Chaffee said the issues raised at the county’s Truth in Taxation meeting and housing in the city will be his focuses.

Only Austin citizens who live in Ward 1-Precinct 2 and Ward 2-Precinct 1 can vote in the Feb. 27 primary. These would be any individuals who vote at the Southland and Sumner voting locations during regular elections.

Another forum will be held from noon to 1 p.m. March 16 for the two candidates elected in the primary. The special election will be held March 20.