MASON CITY – There is a new chairman of the Cerro Gordo County Compensation Board, as the long-serving former mayor of Mason City, Tom Jolas, was ousted in favor of local businessman Steve Minert.
The ‘Comp Board’ is a little-known, but quite influential and powerful entity in the government of every county in Iowa. Mr. Jolas served admirably for 28 years here in Cerro Gordo county and helped make the county supervisor seats attractive with pay rates exceeding $50,000 per year.
Mr. Jolas, whose long career in government includes having served as a high-ranking appointee of Iowa’s Economic Development agency, was bounced from the chairmanship by the supporters of Mr. Minert, who was named to the ‘Comp Board’ – as it’s known – in 2015. Minert’s term runs through June 30, 2019, whereas Jolas’s term expires in June of 2017.
In the state of Iowa, the county Compensation Board sets the salaries and benefits of every elected official. This includes the Sheriff, all three Supervisors, the County Attorney, the Treasurer, Auditor, and Recorder, and all elected county officers. In some ways, Jolas losing his decades-long chairmanship is in sync with what Cerro Gordo county voters decide in the 2016 Elections. Donald Trump won Mason City, and the county, defeating Hillary Clinton. Two longtime, Democratic party Supervisors – Jay Urdahl, and Phil Dougherty – were defeated, after 44 years of combined service. The Mason City School Board members recently voted to oust interim Superintendent Mike Penca, less than six months after the same Board terminated the contract of longtime Superintendent Anita Micich, who was also let go by the Clear Lake school district in 2016.
Minert, who is the President and co-owner of Harley-Davidson of Mason City, can be counted on to bring a fresh, more business-oriented perspective to the ‘Comp Board’, insiders told NIT. Since 1990, Steve Minert has served as the General Manager of his family’s dealership, before being promoted to the position of corporate President in 2011.
He lives in Clear Lake and is a licensed pilot who frequently flies his own airplanes, which he keeps at the Mason City airport and at Lake Okoboji.
Members of the Compensation Board are appointed by the elected officials that the Board oversees, and sets compensation. Members are named to overlapping, four-year terms, with the chairmanship being a one-year position. Mr. Minert, who is 47 years old, will be required in 2017 to seek re-election by the Board members is he wishes to continue as chairman.
A longtime observer of north Iowa government, when asked about the change in leadership, told NIT, “every dog has its day. For Tom Jolas, his days of running our Comp Board just came to an abrupt end. I, for one, truly appreciate all the years of service from Tom Jolas. However, Steve Minert is like a breath of fresh air. Or, maybe I should say: a loud blast of Harley smoke! Seriously, though … Minert will do a very good job.”
Ive known Steve for decades. He’s not the guy flying by on a Harley at midnight waking up the whole town. OK. Maybe the fourth of July can get a bit loud, but not any louder than anyone else.
He will do a fine job making sure those that lead cerro Gordon county will have comparable salaries to other counties our size.
So. Let’s give him a chance to do the same as he has done for Harley of Mc. Bring mason city a wonderful business that helps our tax base grow more each year.
Scoobs
I know this; Tom Jolas did a great deal for Mason City. He brought interstate 35 closer than it was scheduled to be. He built Grant Village which has been continually full and now has a waiting list…Has he made a few mistakes? Doesn’t everyone. Tom has nothing to be ashamed of.
When you hit 85 let’s add up your accomplishments.
Unlike most people on NIT who write anonymously, I’ll make my comments using my true identity. Here’s what I have to say about this. I’ve been sounding the alarm for many years how America was headed down the path of Russia, and to an extent the 3rd Reich of 1930’s Germany. Now that Trump has taken the Presidency, and 5,000 Patriot Guard motorcyclists will be accompanying his inauguration drive, the era of the Brown Shirt is official. If you recall Putun has his nationalistic “Night Wolves” which handle his dirty work in the streets. Do I know with certainty such malfeascance is possible here in the States? No, but the appointment of a Harley guy into government furthers the process along. Government is a matter of trust and equal protection, of which these local governments display none of. I’ll know I’m wring when the streets grow quiet. Until then….Seig Heil.
If you think Steve is going to do any better you are in for a rude awaking. Does anyone check back grounds on these people before electing them?!!!! If not people can’t be that dumb to not read in between the lines. Any other business given a street to them under the table? In cahoots with the supposeably drunk mayor and extra other supposed habits. wait and see just wait and see
ya jolas did good for us, sent the casino to northwood giving them all the benefits and students lots of money.
Jolas was on top of his game at one time but he is way out there now. I think he has health problems and that is natural for his age.
The Russians will keep him honest.
Who put Stevie on this board?
These board members need to pay attention to what’s going on at meetings, and they don’t look very enthusiastic, maybe that’s what’s wrong. Good luck to Minert, hopefully he’ll do what’s right.
Remember when Harley Davidson of Mason City was handed free city money to expand their business? They were going to hire 20 new employees. After the fancy and expensive remodel was completed with city money, they maybe filled 2-4 new slots. Should be looked into.
ALL PUBLIC SERVANTS ARE OVERPAID FATCATS !
I don’t know Minert or anything about him, but it is about time they got rid of Jolas who has severely damaged Mason City and all of North Iowa with his favortism of the establishment. I wish Minert well and hope he keeps it in mind exactly why Jolas was kicked out.