The second district seat for the Dallas County Board of Supervisors is up for election on November 3rd.

Republican incumbent Mark Hanson was first elected as a Dallas County Supervisor in 2005. Hanson reflects on some of the highlights in his 15 years as Supervisor, “I was very involved with the bonds that passed for the new law enforcement center. I was very involved with the efforts to preserve the courthouse in the downtown square of Adel. We repurposed the building out at the Dallas County farm to house our public health, mental health, E-9-1-1, community services, and emergency management. I’d also say, from an agricultural standpoint, we’ve lowered the rural rate from 3.95% to 2.34%, and that was our promise when the local option sales tax passed, we took the County portion to lower the rural rate.”

Democratic challenger Larry Lyon has served on both the Waukee City Council and Waukee School Board. Lyon tells Raccoon Valley Radio that his motivation to serve the community goes back to his time as a child, “When I was in 6th grade I was on the school safety patrol, and that was a big thing. I noticed the cars tended to go awfully fast past my crossing. I went home and told my dad about it, and he said, ‘Let’s go to the City Council and see if we can do something about it.’ So we did. My dad had a phrase that’s really stuck with me, ‘Community service is the rent we pay for space on the earth.’ I’ve really taken that to heart, and I feel like it’s my obligation to serve my community.”

Both candidates agree that the biggest challenge for the Board of Supervisors is keeping up with the County’s population growth. District Two represents Sugar Grove, Dallas Center, Walnut, Waukee, and parts of Adel. You can find more information about the upcoming general election here.