District 3 is entirely in Fort Dodge, encompassing the eastern part of the city.

Name: Clayton Bills

Address: Fort Dodge

Occupation: Security technician

Party: Republican

Why should the voters pick you?

“The voters of District 3 should choose me because I provide a young, fresh, outside view, which the majority of residents feel we need. We are losing population in Webster County, and we struggle to get businesses here because of our reputation, crime problem, and poor infrastructure. I will be ready to get my hands dirty on day one and immediately start addressing the issues we all care most about, such as crime, school safety. I would be honored by everyone’s vote on or before Nov. 5”.

In your opinion, what is the No. 1 issue facing the county and what would you seek to do about it?

“The number one issue facing Webster County is certainly crime. We have a rapidly decreasing population, and the third highest crime per capita of any county in Iowa. This can be remedied by immediately working to freeze unnecessary spending on day one and boosting the budget of the Webster County Sheriff’s Office so that they have the resources to be proactive and stop criminals before they get to the level of violence we have seen in recent years.”

Explain why you believe the county does or does not have a deficit.

“I believe the county does have a deficit, and every resident who looks closely at the budget would as well.

“According to the 2024 budget the current board submitted to the Iowa Department of Management, the county has just over $49 million in revenues, while they have $69.5 million in expenditures, which decreases the general fund by the roughly $20 million difference. The current board can attempt to get around this by changing definitions, but at the end of the day, if a family in Webster County brings in $100,000 in household salary but spends $150,000 a year, they don’t get to escape that reality by changing definitions or avoiding the facts. Our budget needs to be cleaned up, and I will be ready to get to work on it on day one.”

What are the infrastructure issues you believe need to be addressed?

“Infrastructure in Webster County is notoriously poor and aged. From roads, to bridges, to underground plumbing rupturing in the winter, nearly all aspects of our infrastructure needs to be re-evaluated and addressed. As supervisor, I will work diligently to ensure our residents are no longer relying on worn-out infrastructure.”

What needs to be done to improve emergency medical services in rural parts of the county?

“I fully support making EMS an essential service in Webster County, and as supervisor, will do everything I can to make that happen, while avoiding tax increases however we can. I am confident that we can find space in this budget to make room for a service as essential as EMS. Growing up in Dayton, I understand how important this topic is to rural residents, and I am sure that we can find a solution that will make all residents feel safer and more happy.”