Candidate Q&As 2023: Julia Prendergast for Newton City Council, Ward 1

Name: Julia Prendergast

Age: 57

Occupation: Sales manager

Elected offices held: None

Office seeking: Newton City Council, Ward 1

1. Introduce/reintroduce yourself to voters and explain why you are running.

My name is Julia Prendergast, born and raised right here in Newton. I chose to stay here to raise my family and pursue my career in entrepreneurship. I am currently running for Newton City Council, Ward 1, because of my passion for my hometown.

2. Housing continues to be a priority for Newton, a city whose population has remained relatively stagnant for several decades. How do you think the city should approach new housing?

Honestly, I think the question might just say it all. For more than the last decade, the city has had a policy of taxing our current residents to pay people to buy newly constructed houses. But the only thing they have grown with this program is our taxes. It seems it would make sense to have some kind of accountability for this failure. No other city in Iowa is mimicking these expensive giveaways. That’s got to tell you something. I agree with Chris that our stagnant population needs to be addressed. But for the current council to continue to issue debt to pursue programs that obviously do not work seems terribly misguided.

3. Street projects are frequent goals for the city council every year, but some people in town say more work is needed. How do you feel about the city’s current processes when it comes to street repairs and replacements?

I do not know anyone who thinks our city has done an adequate job of maintaining our streets. Its all about misguided priorities. The street problem could have been mitigated years ago if our city council had focused upon streets and not on the next shiny thing. I know putting in new streets is more exciting than maintaining the ones that go by our houses, but sometimes, boring is best.

4. One of the goals of Newton’s comprehensive plan, Envision Newton 2042, is to make the city a compelling destination for residents and visitors. How do you think the city should go about accomplishing this goal?

We have multiple announced and unannounced businesses closing around our downtown square. It is evident the current plan is not working. We need to go back and do better.

5. Newton Police is attracting new recruits and putting them through the academy, but many decide to leave for higher paying jobs. How do you think the city gets out of its role as a pipeline?

This is a question better suited for the chief of police. I do not have his expertise on this subject but would be happy to hear his ideas.

6. Council goals from 2022-2024 and the $1.6 million park bond passed by voters show an increased focus on city parks. How do you think the council should handle its parks system and amenities that come with them?

For a community of our size, Newton has one of the best park systems around. But we cannot sit on our laurels. If it makes sense financially, I would be in favor of improving and expanding those offerings.

7. Property taxes continue to be a concern for residents, especially after another round of increased valuations means they may have to pay more. How do you think the city should maneuver its levies and its use of property taxes?

Increased valuations have nothing to do with increased taxes. It is the city council that determines the amount of taxes we pay. They control the levy. If they wanted to, they could lower the levy, just like Jasper County has done, to negate this increase in valuations. Tax increases are a choice. A choice made by the city council. If they had the will, they could hold the line on increases. They just choose to let us pay more every year.

8. How will you keep politics out of local government?

Well, since I’m running for political office, I’m not sure how to answer this? But I will say, local politicians need to focus on local issues. And that is what I intend to do.