Jasper County Supervisor Candidate Q&A: Doug Cupples

Name: Doug Cupples

Age: 53

Residence: Newton

Occupation: County supervisor and auto sales at Lauterbach Buick GMC

Office seeking: Jasper County Supervisor

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

Cupples: I have lived in Newton since 1979. I am passionate about my faith in Christ. I have an amazing wife and three grown kids who I love dearly. I genuinely care about people and making a positive impact in their lives. I’m deeply concerned about issues like taxes, roads and law enforcement, and I want to help find solutions that benefit our community. My goal is to serve and improve the quality of life for everyone.

2. Secondary roads maintenance is always on the minds of residents who drive on gravel roads. How do you feel about what the county has done for gravel roads? Are there any solutions or strategies you would propose?

Cupples: When I started with the county, they were only adding rock to 25 percent of the gravel roads each year. The citizens of rural Jasper County were clear that we needed more rock. So I worked hard to increase that to 50 percent of Jasper County roads per year, and we’ve continued improving ever since. Roads are our largest concern, and our team works tirelessly to improve them every day. One of my concerns is how we currently conserve rock along the road edges. While it saves rock, it often forms a curb that channels water down the road, especially on hills, creating ruts and puddles. The key to maintaining good roads is to keep water off them, and we are actively working on better solutions. Everyone in the county wants to see these roads improve, and we are committed to that.

3. For the past few months, the county has been holding town hall meetings about the proposed $6.4 million bond vote featured on the ballot this coming November. What are your thoughts on the bond and project? Are you in favor of it or not?

Cupples: As part of Jasper County’s long-term planning and fiscally conservative principles, we are seeking voter consideration for a bond issuance. This bond will fund projects for the sheriff’s office, county engineer, and county conservation departments. The completion of these projects will provide a unique training facility for law enforcement, housing for the county ALS program, upgraded facilities for road maintenance, outfitting classrooms for the conservation department and replacing two maintenance sheds in county parks. These projects can be completed without raising taxes due to the county’s low debt and strong fiscal management. Our current debt service levy will decrease as sheriff department debt is paid off very soon and the new administration building paid off within two years, ensuring the debt service levy will not increase. I encourage residents to visit www.jasperia.org to learn more about the Liberty Bond project.

4. Paramedic-certified staff at the sheriff’s office have responded to emergency calls throughout the county and assisted smaller EMS providers. How do you feel about the advanced life support program? What should its role be?

Cupples: This is a truly wonderful program that saves lives. It puts more trained people at the scene and gives a sense of security knowing help is on the way. I love that various agencies are working together to make this happen. I’m a big fan of the program!

5. Property taxes and growing assessments continue to be an issue for residents. How should the county respond to these concerns? What would you like to see done to help residents better understand property taxes?

Cupples: When I became county supervisor, Jasper County taxes were about 19 percent of city taxes; now, they are around 16.5 percent in cities. For rural Jasper County, it was 40 percent and is now approximately 36 percent. That’s a $2+ reduction in the levy for both city and rural taxes. City taxes are divided primarily among the county, school and city, while rural taxes focus on schools and counties. To make significant cuts to county taxes, we would need to reduce personnel, which would affect services. Property assessments are required to align with state guidelines, and the county assessor is obligated to follow those rules. We don’t automatically take in more funds when property valuations increase. Instead, we budget based on what is necessary and practice fiscally conservative principles.

6. What are some things the county is good at and should continue doing? What are things you think the county can improve upon?

Cupples: We have amazing employees and department heads who make everything we accomplish possible. In terms of improvements, we can always work on better communication, keeping taxes low and improving our listening skills. We should always strive to do better.

7. Despite Jasper County’s proximity to Polk County, it remains a relatively rural region. How do you feel the county should respond to future developments? Are there rural characteristics you feel the county should preserve?

Cupples: When we completed our comprehensive plan for the county, preserving farmland was a priority, but so was development. We are working on attracting more businesses to Jasper County, which will bring more residents. Our conservation department has done an excellent job enhancing the beauty and recreational opportunities in the county, which we continue supporting.

8. Any final comments you’d like to make to voters?

Cupples: I will continue to serve the people of Jasper County to the best of my ability. Thank you for your support in the past and in the future.