Election 2025

Tell us a little bit about yourself:

My name is Joel Schabilion, my wife and I moved our family to Jasper County in 2006 after I accepted a job with the Newton Fire Department as a firefighter/paramedic. We moved to Baxter in 2007 and raised our four children and they all graduated from BCSD.

What are you running for?

I am running to retain my seat on Baxter City Council after winning by special election last year.

Why are you running for city government?

I am running for city government because I (and a large group of fellow residents) were frustrated with the state of our city and felt that all residents of Baxter weren’t being treated fairly/equally or being heard when it came to concerns and priorities that the council should have. Myself, other appointees and council members inherited a city that was in a state of crisis with multiple critical areas that needed to be addressed immediately for the City of Baxter to remain functioning.

Why do you think public service is important?

I do not know where to begin to answer this question as I am very passionate about public service and helping others. For more than 24 years I worked in EMS (emergency medical services) with the soul purpose of helping, protecting, educating and advocating for others—nearly 18 of those years were spent at Newton Fire Department. During that time I also volunteered as a Reserve Deputy for about five years with the Jasper County Sheriffs Office under Sheriff John Halferty – until my health declined and I had to reluctantly step away from both. I loved both of these jobs as I personally feel that one of the great purposes we are placed on this earth for is to help and watch out for each other (and especially for those who cannot speak for or take care of themselves).

What issues in the city are the most important to you?

This is an important question because it isn’t really about what I think is the most important issue in the city is, it’s what the citizens are bringing to council and voicing their opinions about. Moving forward, I think it’s critical that whoever is on City Council and in the Mayor’s office really keep in tune/open communication with all citizens of Baxter and lead with the best interest of all, not just the interests of a small faction. When it comes down to it, I think people are just really frustrated with feeling like they are not being heard or treated fairly.

Where is the city succeeding?

I will say that we’ve made some critical improvements in infrastructure (water system) resulting in cost savings to the citizens of Baxter which we could then use on other critical projects (streets) which I was really glad that we were able to do. Other improvements that have been made resulting in the streamlining of operations/accounting was upgrading the software the city uses which greatly helps our city and deputy clerk, the installation of remote water meter reading (which will pay for itself). There is actually a long list of things that we were able to accomplish in a relatively short amount of time — which will attest to our biggest collective achievement, which is assembling a team of individuals with the common purpose of sustaining/maintaining the community while gathering resources to move the city forward allowing it to flourish.

Where does it need improvements?

A city will always need improvements—just like owning a home. There will always be a to do list with priorities set by necessity. Baxter is a great place to call home--we need to have things in place to allow young families to settle here while making sure our aging population have what they need to enjoy their golden years. Of those things that are towards the top of the “necessary list” are affordable housing and infrastructure. (And if I am missing something, I urge the citizens to please come talk to me.)