Ann McLaughlin

Ann McLaughlin

Webster City

Democrat

Ann McLaughlin was born and raised in Webster City and graduated from Webster City High School. She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa in Liberal Studies, specializing in the areas of economics, psychology, religion and chemistry.

For the last 28 years she has worked mostly in health care-related organizations — from pharmacy to hospice and end of life care — in both nonprofit and for-profit settings.

“I was Director of Operations at Outcome Resources for 14 years, where I was responsible for launching the start-up organization that grew to more than $12 million in annual revenue. I played an instrumental role in establishing the operational infrastructure, as well as creating policies and procedures for communicating with providers and clients, and leading a staff that eventually grew to more than 20.”

She relocated — and reconnected — to Webster City in 2018 to be closer to family. She is the manager of the Webster Theater, business manager for Kendall Young Library, and office manager for Shanti Rejuvenation Center, all in Webster City.

McLaughlin has held leadership positions in a variety of settings, both in her professional life and as a volunteer, including time with P.E.O, Friends of Kendall Young Library, Legacy Learning Boone River Valley, and Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. She is on the Provincial Council, an appointed position by the Bishop for the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa, serving eight states covering from the Rocky Mountains to the Mississippi River.

Her’s is a long family history in Hamilton County and Webster City. Her great-great grandfather moved to Webster City in the early 1900s, and her parents owned and operated Thompson Pharmacy in Webster City.

What do you see as the most important aspect of the role of County Treasurer?

The most important aspect of the Treasurer’s position is to manage Hamilton County’s treasury in the most secure way possible, while still making good investment decisions. This must be done while providing first class, cheerful, courteous service to the people of Hamilton County.

What are your top three goals if you win this race?

To learn all aspects of the job of county treasurer for personal service — which includes timely property tax collection and disbursements; chief financial investment officer with the goals of safety, liquidity and yield; work with the auditor and supervisors in the maintenance and investment of drainage districts funds; act as an agent of the Iowa State Department of Transportation in motor vehicle and driver’s licensing;

To foster an atmosphere of service, approachability and accountability within the office of county treasurer, the court house, and throughout the county;

To give the people of Hamilton County the best value of the tax dollars needed to run the office of county treasurer, by being a working treasurer.

Will you be an administrative treasurer only, or will you work the counter along with others in the Treasurer’s Office?

I will absolutely be working the counter along with the staff every day. I have never managed a staff where I couldn’t do the jobs/tasks I was asking the staff to do. I intend to jump in Day One, answer the phone and do what I can while I learn the ropes. A good leader leads by example. You can’t hide in the back and not be available. The best way to do that is to be in the office every day, working alongside the staff creating a positive environment. As the elected official, the final say in all departments would be mine. But it is impossible to build trust of the staff and citizens of Hamilton County and be a problem solver if I am not in the office each day. And, I love people! I want to meet them, listen to them and help them out with their needs!

If you’re changing Driver’s License duties from scheduled appointment to open door, how will you make that work?

I know from my continuing conversations and personal experience the current Driver’s License process is frustrating for many county residents. I also know that this will not change overnight. In order to return to having walk-in appointments I need to assess the resources in the office. The most important of those resources is the current staff. No matter how much you talk to past and current staff and treasurers, the best way to evaluate the staff is to work with them and get to know them. Once we determine the resources, we can move forward developing a system of cross training in all departments to cover lunches, breaks, absences. As DOT programming becomes more automated, it is easier and faster to use them, although it is extremely important that staff have the working knowledge of the background. I would make training for all staff a requirement. And, of course, I would include myself.

There are four people working in the Hamilton County Treasurer’s Office. There used to be five. Would you advocate for more hiring?

I have always been an advocate for having the best, most efficient and complete staff wherever I have worked. Once I am elected and have a chance to get to know and work with the staff, I can best evaluate whether resources can be reallocated or if more staff is required. Empowering staff to do the best jobs they can, in a positive environment gives them the opportunity to grow and be more efficient with their tasks.

With automated programs, generally four people ought to be able to handle the duties. The issue becomes difficult with peak seasons of tax collection in September and March, the tax sale of delinquent taxes in June, the new collection year, and staffing absences due to vacations and illness. Online payment options make the work in the treasurer’s office more automated, thus reducing turn-around time. The primary goal is to provide timely service here. When work is in person across the counter or on the phone, the goal is the same, but it takes a little longer.

Cross-training can be scheduled for the slower parts of the day, week or the month. Although the office work is more automated with less face-to-face time with the public, the office is very much driven by daily work — what needs to be done right then.

Gov. Kim Reynolds was a county treasurer before she became a state senator and then lieutenant governor. What are your political aspirations?

My political aspirations are to retire as the Hamilton County Treasurer.

Mike Myers

Webster City

Independent

Mike Myers is a lifelong resident of Hamilton County and truly in love with this area. He chose to live in Hamilton County because of all the things it has to offer.

“Many of you have known me on a business and personal level through my family and the organizations I have had the privilege of leading over the years. In the last few years, I have had the opportunity to return to school and earn a master’s degree in Business Administration — MBA — from Upper Iowa University. When you combine my 12-plus years in the mortgage banking industry and my over 30 years of management experience, I have the background to lead the Treasurer’s Office into the future.

“I have had the opportunity to work for two of Iowa’s largest organizations in upper management positions, creating, implementing and executing extremely large budgets. I chose to run as an independent in this race because I want to answer to the citizens, not a political party. My campaign has been solely financed by me. My goals are what’s best for all citizens, not just a select group who all vote the same.

“In my spare time I love to garden, sail around the world, and spend time with my son and his family.”

What do you see as the most important aspect of the role of County Treasurer?

To oversee the financial administration of Hamilton County, through a hands-on approach of financial reporting, education in fiscal responsibility to each department, and provide the supervisors with a clear and solid financial strategy.

What are your top three goals if you win this race?

• To be completely transparent with the citizens of Hamilton County on their finances, including spending, savings, reporting and investing of all money and resources.

• To create a culture in the Treasurer’s Office and entire courthouse where citizens feel welcome, respected and valued, while being treated with the highest level of respect.

• To educate and train the entire county employee team the importance of their personal and department roles in the finances of Hamilton County. If each person is conscious about finances, we can create the most efficient county government in Iowa.

Will you be an administrative treasurer only, or will you work the counter along with others in the Treasurer’s Office?

I will be standing right next to the team at the counter. I want to be a treasurer who is very approachable by every resident of Hamilton County with any question they may have. I have shared the importance of customer service with every team I’ve led, and this is one of the very first things this office will work on. The people of Hamilton County are the reason why this office exists, and they need to be treated with the highest level of respect and courtesy.

If you’re changing Driver’s License duties from scheduled appointment to open door, how will you make that work?

This has been one of the biggest areas of concern for the people of Hamilton County over the last few years. I personally would love to see this service returned to an open-door procedure. Implementing this change is going to take some work, planning and cooperation from all using this service. I do not have a completely flawless plan for this change currently. I have visited with many and received many ideas on how and why this change should occur. The only promise I will make is that I will seriously look for ways to improve this service to the residence and do it in a way that is cost efficient, user friendly and offers the highest service possible.

There are four people working in the Hamilton County Treasurer’s Office. There used to be five. Would you advocate for more hiring?

I will only advocate to hire more people if the return on wage investment benefits the county by saving more money in the long run. At times an additional person can be hired and save money in overtime wages paid to other teammates, causing a savings.

Gov. Kim Reynolds was a county treasurer before she became a state senator and then lieutenant governor. What are your political aspirations?

My only aspirations, currently, are to serve the citizens of Hamilton County in the Treasurer’s office. I will come into the office as treasurer with the education, experience, and ability to lead. I intend to listen to my constituents, hear their concerns, correct issues that arise and provide exceptional customer service.

Matt Matteson

Webster City

Republican

Matt Matteson is a Hamilton county native who graduated from Webster City High School. He spent his youth working on cars at M & M Customs and Vic’s Auto Body, which were his father’s and grandfather’s businesses in Webster City.

He spent the past 10 years assisting the teachers of Webster City and Northeast Hamilton schools with technology needs. “Had this new challenge not presented itself, I would have gladly finished my career with Webster City Community Schools.”

He served in the United States Navy from 1988-96. “In the Pacific Fleet I was able to gain valuable leadership experience. Due to my attention to detail and hard work I was able to achieve success early in my career. I was chosen to fill a 1st Class Petty Officer leadership role as a 3rd Class Petty Officer. My Intelligence Center team was able to process film from over 75 missions with 100% success.”

“Following my second enlistment I returned home. I provided for my family by working at Seneca Foundry and later Electrolux. After the plant closed I chose to pursue a degree in computer networking. I graduated from Iowa Central Community College with a Gold cord, first in my class. While at Iowa Central I interned at Webster City schools and upon graduation was hired full time.”

What do you see as the most important aspect of the role of County Treasurer?

I feel that first and foremost the treasurer must be a good steward of the monies paid into the county. When our bonds and investments produce returns that keep up with, or exceed, inflation and growth we are then able to keep future taxes from rising. That puts money back into the pockets of Hamilton County residents.

What are your top three goals if you win this race?

Customer service, staff training, office procedures/efficiency.

— We will emphasize the importance of customer experience. Actively work on improving response times and attentiveness.

— The Treasurer staff will cross train in jobs to prevent slow/poor service in the event of sickness, vacation, etc.

— Office workflow/procedures will be evaluated to ensure the best possible use of time and best service to Hamilton County.

Will you be an administrative treasurer only, or will you work the counter along with others in the Treasurer’s Office?

I will definitely not be an administrative treasurer. I look forward to working alongside the office staff. I don’t feel you can effectively lead if you aren’t capable of performing the tasks you’re asking others to perform.

If you’re changing Driver’s License duties from scheduled appointment to open door, how will you make that work?

Prior to any change we have to make sure that we have the training and the staff available to make it succeed. I won’t go in and make drastic changes to one area if it is going to negatively impact our service to customers in other areas. Once I have completed my courses with AAMVA (American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators) and get certified to issue we will be in a better position to make that happen.

There are four people working in the Hamilton County Treasurer’s Office. There used to be five. Would you advocate for more hiring?

Yes, there will be discussions with the Supervisors concerning staffing. Based on the current experience level in the office I feel it’s necessary to add to the staff. The staff is gaining experience every day. I don’t know if the years of lost experience can be overcome quickly enough to serve the county as I feel it needs to be served without adding another team member.

Gov. Kim Reynolds was a county treasurer before she became a state senator and then lieutenant governor. What are your political aspirations?

My only political aspirations are to give the residents of Hamilton County a Treasurer that they can be proud to have elected. I’ll stay right here and serve them.

Mike Myers

Matt Matteson