DAVID BARTLETT
DUNN COUNTY — Dunn County Board incumbent David Bartlett will be on the ballot in the April 5 election for the District 2 position and will face challenger Patrick Breslin.
Bartlett currently serves as the county board chair.
He is married with four children and six grandchildren. The oldest of his grandchildren is serving in the United States Army while the youngest grandchild is two years old.
Bartlett is retired after working at Toycen Motors in Bloomer for 40 years. The last 39 years of his employment, he managed the service department, body shop and detail shop.
He grew up in Boyceville, graduated from Boyceville High School, attended Chippewa Valley Technical College and graduated from the two-year automotive program.
The Tribune Press Reporter sent out questionnaires to the candidates.
Here are Bartlett’s answers to the questions.
1. Why did you decide to run again for the Dunn County Board?
I have always enjoyed being involved and being active in serving my community. I have been active in church, teaching Sunday school, serving as President of the Church Council many times. Active and serving as president of the Prairie Farm – Ridgeland Ridge Runners snowmobile club for many years, also teaching Snowmobile Safety for almost 20 years. Sheridan Town Board Chair for 24 years and County Board Supervisor for 22 years.
2. What do you believe to be the two biggest issues facing Dunn County?
There are many issues facing the County. The top 2 are: The immediate issue will be finding replacements for retiring County Manager Paul Miller and in August Kris Korpela, the director of the Health and Human Services Department, is retiring. Both of these positions have a significant impact on how well the County can serve its residents. Long term issue is the budget for future years with levy limits and high inflation.
3. How would you go about addressing those issues?
I have experience in the interview and hiring process for both the County Manager and other Department Directors. I have been involved in the interview and hiring process many times because I have served many years on the Executive and Administration Committees. The County Budget is complicated with revenue from Grants, General Transportation Aids, Fees, Levy, American Rescue Plan Act funds and Borrowing. Services are mandated by the State that the County must provide but the state does not fund. Dunn County is high in long term debt compared to other Counties because of borrowing to build the Neighbors almost ten years ago. I would support borrowing for a long term Capital Improvement Projects but not to balance the budget for operations. I think the County Board will need to prioritize all the great services the County provides and decide what services and at what level services will be funded in future years.
4. Anything else you would like voters to know?
I am supported by the Town of Tiffany and New Haven Board Chairs and other Board members. Being on the Sheridan Town Board I know how the towns will be affected by what the County does. Since I retired 4 years ago I have attended the majority of all Committee meetings. I have a lot of experience serving as Chairman, Vice Chairman of the County Board, being on many Committees and serving as Chairman of the Executive, Facilities, Judicial,Traffic Safety and Solid Waste Committees. I am respected and honored by the other County Board Supervisors, in so much that they elected me to serve as County Board Chairman the last 4 years.
