(SBA) - Daniel A. Bittinger II is seeking reelection to the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors, District 2. A pastor and nonprofit leader, Bittinger said his experience serving families and community organizations has shaped his commitment to fiscal responsibility, economic development, maintaining essential infrastructure and protecting personal freedom.
The following are Bittinger’s responses to questions submitted by the Sergeant Bluff Advocate.
(Q) - Please introduce yourself to our readers. What experiences in your career, community involvement and public service have prepared you to serve on the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors?
(A) - I have been married for 24 years to my wife, have 3 teenagers, have lived in Sioux City for 12 years, serve on the board of Agape Community Services and currently serve on the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors for district 2. My experience as a pastor and Executive Director working with families and nonprofits in Sioux City gives me firsthand insight into the needs and challenges facing our citizens. I would bring a principled, practical, and patriotic approach to the Board of Supervisors—grounded in my faith in Jesus Christ, respect for our founding documents, and appreciation for the freedoms and opportunities our country provides.
(Q) - Why are you seeking election to the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors, and what would be your three highest priorities if elected?
(A) - Over the last four years, I have strived to represent and serve the people of Woodbury County by working within our constitutional bounds & authority, keeping the tax levy constant and/or reducing, fund road & infrastructure projects and support the rule of law in our county justice system. I am seeking reelection to continue all of these important items plus ensure Woodbury County stays fiscally responsible and not burden our citizens with bigger government as we see a “federalization” at the state level resulting in the loss of local control. My goal is to keep our local government limited and personal freedom ever increasing.
My top priorities would be fiscal responsibility, smart economic development, and maintaining our essential infrastructures (bridges, roads, county buildings, etc).
(Q) - Property taxes and the cost of local government remain concerns for many Woodbury County residents. How would you approach the county budget and property taxes while maintaining essential services, and where do you believe the county could become more efficient?
(A) - I believe county government should focus on practical solutions, reducing unnecessary red tape, and making decisions that serve taxpayers effectively. Increased taxation hinders every person, and my goal is to see more money stay in the hands of our citizens. The Supervisors need to be wise stewards of taxpayer dollars, make sure development benefits the entire county rather than creating unnecessary costs for the public, and plan for roads, public safety, and other services our residents depend on. Every major decision should be measured by whether it positions Woodbury County to have a stronger financial standing or a weaker one.
(Q) - Maintaining roads, bridges and other infrastructure is particularly important to rural residents, farmers and businesses. What should Woodbury County’s priorities be for maintaining and improving its infrastructure, and how would you balance those needs with other demands on the county budget?
(A) - One of the greatest priorities is to continue to fully fund the Secondary Roads department along with looking for federal grants and partnerships. With the cost of a mile of paved road doubling in price over the last four years along with 20-30% increases in heavy equipment, planning for infrastructure upgrades have become an even greater necessity. Every department has critical needs which are evaluated during the budget process to ensure critical services are not hindered when other projects have a higher priority. This process allows for all departments to inform the Board of Supervisors of potential impacts if certain projects are not completed.
(Q) - Public safety represents a significant responsibility and expense for county government, including the Sheriff’s Office, jail, emergency management and other services. How would you approach funding public safety while ensuring taxpayers receive effective and accountable services?
(A) - The key role of government is to protect the innocent; thus, the need to ensure the sheriff and county attorney’s office has adequate funding to carry out their mission. I believe the people of Woodbury County hold both offices to the highest standard in their personal interactions with these offices and give the Supervisors feedback as to what is going well and where improvements can be made.
(Q) - Economic development can bring jobs and additional tax revenue, but major development proposals can also raise concerns involving land use, infrastructure, agriculture, utilities and quality of life. What factors should supervisors consider when evaluating significant economic development projects proposed for Woodbury County?
(A) - The biggest factors to consider are with any project is: will this proposed project bring a realistic increase in tax revenue, jobs and is it in alignment with what the public desires for a specific area? Once again, I do not believe in eminent domain for private businesses or for government use of a “proposed” public benefit.
(Q) - Land-use decisions can directly affect farmers, rural homeowners, businesses and nearby communities. How would you balance private property rights and economic development with the county’s responsibility to address zoning, agricultural land preservation, infrastructure demands and the concerns of neighboring property owners?
(A) - I believe proper planning and zoning can help address all citizens concerns to ensure people have the right to develop their private property all the while not devaluing their neighbor’s property values or causing environmental scars on our agricultural lands. It is the responsibility of any city council or county supervisor to remove barriers for citizens and business owners to self-determine their future yet not show favoritism. I do not support the use of eminent domain for a private company or a “perceived” public benefit.
(Q) - Woodbury County includes Sioux City as well as smaller communities and large rural areas with different needs and priorities. How would you make sure communities such as Sergeant Bluff, Salix, Sloan and other areas outside Sioux City receive appropriate attention when county resources and services are allocated?
(A) - The county board has shown over my last fours years that all communities are valued and seen as essential to the thriving of Woodbury County’s future. Other Supervisors and I routinely meet with residents around the county to gather feedback about how the county can serve every town in the county. This feedback shapes our budget decisions every year to ensure the whole county is benefiting, not just one area.
(Q) - Residents expect major county decisions to be made openly and with meaningful opportunities for public input. What would you do as a supervisor to promote transparency, communicate with constituents and ensure residents have an opportunity to be heard before significant decisions are made?
(A) - Currently, the county promotes transparency and communication with our citizens by our website with easy-to-use search tools to find information, publishing videos of our meetings on our YouTube channel and having county meetings in the rural areas. The county has had a standing “citizens concerns” agenda item on our weekly meetings to hear from anyone. I have and will continue to interact with our citizens through one-on-one meetings, responding to emails and phone calls from anyone.
(Q) - A supervisor is elected from a particular district but makes decisions affecting all of Woodbury County. How would you balance your responsibility to represent District 2 with your obligation to consider what is best for the county as a whole, particularly when those interests may conflict?
(A) - The function of the Board of Supervisors is like a general manager. Every though each supervisor must live within a defined district, the role oversees the thriving of the entire county and not one area. A common misunderstanding is that Supervisors can unilaterally make decisions and divert finances to their specific district which is not even possible. The very nature of the job is to be a representative of a specific area but with the bigger vision to lead in what is best for the entirety of the county.
