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Name: Eric Smith
City: Newton
Office sought: Jasper County Supervisor
Occupation: Training Director for Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 33
Education: 5-Year Apprenticeship with Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 33
Elected offices held: None
1. What do you feel is the most important issue Jasper County will be facing during your term as a supervisor? What suggestions do you have to deal with that issue?
The most important issue Jasper County faces at this point is to do as much as possible with the funding we have available to us. Finding ways to become creative with our spending without reducing staff and raises will be to our benefit. This might include identifying ways to become more energy efficient and establishing a 5-year plan of all buildings for budget purposes. A great example of creative funding at its finest was with our building and grounds director, Adam Sparks, securing a $40,000 state historic restoration grant for the clock tower project at our courthouse. Additionally, utilizing third-party commissioning to ensure that all projects are built per plan and specifications can save us money in the long run. Since we must use the lowest responsive, responsible bidder for most projects, third-party commissioning will hold these contractors accountable.
2. What are some important principles county supervisors should keep in mind when determining how taxpayer dollars are spent in Jasper County?
I believe in three major principles: collaboration, education, and communication. First and foremost, it is important to find out what our needs are from all stakeholders and to professionally collaborate what these needs are as a Board. Additionally, working with experts to educate us as we find a solution, put a cost to the solution, and determine if it falls within the county’s budget is pertinent. Lastly, I believe in communicating with the community so that they are informed of each project’s progress and of the Board’s decisions.
3. What can be done to address Jasper County's infrastructure needs to keep ahead of maintenance needs?
As a Board, we are not going to be experts in every facet of county planning and projects. It is crucial to utilize professionals in specialized areas to help us figure out long-term solutions for infrastructure, along with attaching a cost and prioritizing to see how it can fit within the budget. This must be done while continuing to maintain the county’s needs until a long-term solution can be implemented.
4. The future of the Jasper County Annex building is still undetermined despite discussion by the current board. What do you think should be done with the structure?
Ultimately, it is difficult to put a cost on an old building with its architecture, history, and character. Ideally, I would like to save the building if it is financially feasible. In order to determine this, a top-to-bottom evaluation of the structure, mechanical systems, roofing, etc. needs to be done in addition to determining the cost of a new structure to establish a cost-comparison. This will give us a true-cost assessment of what the current building’s needs are to deem whether it is fiscally responsible to remodel, build a new structure, or even purchase an existing structure.
5. Why do you think voters should support your candidacy for supervisor?
As a lifetime resident of Jasper County, I am dedicated to the betterment of our community. My hobby is work, and I thrive with new challenges. I am at a point in my career where I have the time and flexibility to give back to the county that I love. I will bring a large skill-set to this position with my nearly 20 years in the construction industry, most of which have been at the management level. Through my successful career, I have established proven leadership skills, effective methods of communication, purposeful management of multi-million dollar budgets, and efficient oversight of nearly 100 employees.