About 20 years in county government hasn’t convinced Paul Merten it’s time to step aside — and he says there’s still work left to do.
The rural Storm Lake farmer is seeking reelection to the Buena Vista County Board of Supervisors, where he has represented District 3 since taking office in January 2007. Merten, running as a Republican, has also served as board chair for roughly six years and was again selected to lead the board at the beginning of this year.
Merten says his decision to first run for supervisor came from hearing people complain about county government — and deciding he could either complain along with them or get involved.
Merten says his business and accounting background has also made one of the less glamorous parts of county government — the budget — something he enjoys.
Looking back over two decades, Merten points to a number of projects and initiatives he says have benefited Buena Vista County.
He cites the Dakota Access Pipeline, saying the county tried to work with landowners while staying out of the controversy surrounding the project. Merten says the pipeline has since generated roughly $9 million to $10 million in tax revenue for the county.
He also points to the county’s veterans affairs efforts. Merten says veterans in the county were receiving about $2.3 million in benefits when he first joined the board, compared with a projected more than $8 million this year.
Mental health services are another area he highlights. Merten was involved in the regionalization of mental health services that eventually grew to include 10 counties before the state took over the system. He points to economic development projects as well, including Platinum Crush, and major road improvements as accomplishments during his tenure.
Looking ahead, one of the largest projects on the horizon is Allete Clean Energy’s repowering of the county’s wind energy facilities. Merten says the roughly 259 existing turbines near Alta are expected to be replaced by about 50 larger turbines, with the project now expected to take place in 2028 rather than this year.
He says the county has also been able to move forward on several road projects, including County Road N14 near Albert City and planned improvements to Business U.S. Highway 71 north of Storm Lake. Merten says those road projects have separate funding sources and says the county has been saving for years to reach the point where some of the work can move ahead.
Another major priority is the future of Storm Lake’s Casino Bay Marina, which was transferred to the county this summer. Merten says the county is working with the conservation board as it considers proposals for future public use of the property.
And Merten says experience dealing with state government is another reason he believes he should remain on the board.
Merten says one of the biggest lessons he has learned is that local governments don’t always have as much control as he once believed. He points to state mandates that require counties to provide services without always providing the funding to pay for them. Merten says he works through the Iowa State Association of Counties to advocate for local control and a stronger voice for counties at the state level.
If reelected, Merten says he wants to continue work on Business Highway 71, move forward with the county’s bike trail efforts and help establish a successful public use for the marina.
He also expects counties could face more changes in the future, including possible regionalization of public health services. Merten says that is something county officials will have to address if the state moves in that direction.
But when asked what he brings to another term, Merten comes back to the experience he has gained over the past 20 years.
Merten is being challenged by Democrat Tom Grau of rural Newell. Grau announced his campaign in August after no Democrat filed for the District 3 seat in the June primary. Grau says his priorities include stronger city and county collaboration, housing, jobs, healthcare, recreation and roads.
The Buena Vista County District 3 supervisor race will be decided in the Nov. 3 general election.
