Differing viewpoints on the county budget help make a distinction between the two county supervisor candidates.

Democratic incumbent Wayne Clinton will face off against Republican challenger Rick Sanders for a county supervisor seat on Nov. 4.

There are three Story County supervisors who serve as the legislative body and are responsible for county policy and budget, according to the Story County Web site.

Sanders, a native of Bluff Park, Ala., said his ideas will help to improve Story County for the future.

“I believe I am more interested in planning for the future of the county,” Sanders said. “Long-range planning is vital. We must set comprehensive goals and objectives.”

Some of Sanders’ goals include tying spending to available resources. He said since 2000 the state has spent $327 million and brought in $306 million.

Story County has reduced fund balances from $16 million down to $6 million. Sanders also said the county borrowed $12 million and already approved $7 million more.

Sanders’ opponent disagrees on his budget concerns.

“We are operating not in a deficit, but in a surplus,” Clinton said. “Story County is one of the most fiscally responsible counties in Iowa.”

Clinton said Story County has the third-highest budget rating in Iowa, according to Moody’s Investment Service.

“If we weren’t fiscally responsible we would not be able to bond for infrastructure road improvements,” Clinton said.

Clinton scoffed at accusations that the budget is unbalanced.

“We need to tell the whole story, especially as it relates to the budget,” Clinton said.

One other key distinction between the two candidates, Sanders said, is his commitment to make sure county meetings remain open to all citizens.

He said he wants to “make sure the public gets to see the rationale behind decisions, not only the official vote.”

Sanders said county government is for implementing policies that directly affect citizens.

“County government is where the rubber hits the road,” Sanders said.

The county supervisors are also part of Analysis of Social Services Evaluation Team, which allocates money to different service organizations around the county.

“We fund services students rely on through the ASSET process, which is a joint funding effort involving Story County, City of Ames, United Way of Story County and GSB,” Clinton said.

Clinton said the students have a big impact on decisions he has made as part of the board of county supervisors.

“The decisions that we make affect the quality of life for the people of Ames, in which the students make up about half of the population,” he said.

Clinton said he wants to make sure “there are services that help [the students] focus on their education, and that there aren’t a lot of hurdles for them to jump over.”

He said some of those services include employment opportunities, especially summer jobs with the conservation department and other departments.

“We’re the taxing authority — a portion of the taxes goes to the city, county and schools,” Clinton said. “The whole aspect of quality of life is a joint effort between the city and county.”

Clinton said he deserves to be reelected because of his proven leadership, results, and experience.

“Programs I’ve started or been on board with have had a direct impact on the citizens of this county,” he said. “My actions and decisions are based on what is best for the citizens of Story County.”

Wayne Clinton (Democrat):

– Married to Edna and resides in Ames.

– Elected to the Story County Board of Supervisors in 2000 and re-elected in 2004. He was appointed as board chair in 2003, 2006 and 2007.

– Received a bachelor’s in education and his master’s in physical education at Northeastern Missouri State, which has since changed its name to Truman State University.

Rick Sanders (Republican):

– Graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a degree in communications.

– His wife, Callids, is the senior associate athletics director at Iowa State and lives in Ames.

– Has been endorsed by The Ames Tribune.

– Became the first full-time commisioner for the Midwest Collegiate Conference in 2005.