10/26/2022
I recently did a Meet the Candidates interview with the Pipestone County Star. Thank you for taking some time to get to know me and why I should be the next District 2 Pipestone County Commissioner.
Pipestone County Star: Please tell us about yourself, background, experience, qualifications, etc.
Doug Nagel: I have been a resident of southwest Minnesota since the age of 10. I was raised on a farm in Nobles County, Minn. I have been a resident of Pipestone County for 47+ years. After graduation from high school in Adrian, Minn., I attended the auto technician program at the technical college in Pipestone. I graduated from this program, and became employed as a farm equipment technician at Jack Farrell Implement, and an automotive technician at Amdahl Motors, both in Pipestone. In 1992, I accepted a position with the Pipestone County Highway Department as an equipment technician/shop foreman. In 1998, I was hired as the Pipestone County Road and Bridge Superintendent. This position required overseeing the maintenance and repairs of Pipestone County’s road and bridge system, supervising 13 employees, writing specifications and purchasing of heavy equipment and supplies, and addressing citizen’s public issues and problems. In addition, it provided extensive experience with obtaining disaster funding from FEMA and the State of Minnesota after many flooding and storm events during my career.
My qualifications include my agricultural background, experience in working with the public, addressing their concerns, working with setting a budget for a Pipestone County Highway Department and with the Pipestone County Board of Commissioners. I retired from the Pipestone County Highway Department in January, 2021 after 28 ½ years. Throughout my entire career, I displayed a strong work ethic, was accountable, and dealt with customer service.
After our marriage, Denise and I settled in Pipestone County, established our careers, and raised our family. We own and live on a farm in Sweet Township. In addition to my full time employments listed above, for 29 years, my family and I farmed, raising corn and soybeans. During this time, we also raised a small herd of Simmental cattle.
We have two grown children, our son Joe (Joey) and his wife Melanie (Miller) live in Hutchinson, Minn. They have one son, Colin, age 18. Colin is presently attending UMD in Duluth, Minn. Joe has been employed by the City of Hutchinson Police Department for 23 years. Our daughter Jennie and her husband Josh Dede live on an acreage by Brandon, S.D. They have one daughter, Graceyn, age 2 ½. Jennie has been employed as an RN at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D. for 14 years. Joe and Jennie both received their primary education in Pipestone County. They were very active in 4-H and FFA. These both were influential in making them the individuals they are today.
PCS: Why are you running for office?
DN: I was introduced to county government when I became employed by the Pipestone County Highway Department. For many years, I have been interested in the proceedings of the Pipestone County Board of Commissioners. I have been retired for 20 months, and feel this is a good time to give back to Pipestone County by serving on this board and representing the residents of District 2.
PCS: What is your top priority for Pipestone County?
DN: A priority will be to work with the Board of Commissioners, and all Pipestone County Departments to understand their roles and to ensure that the duties and services they are responsible for are provided. Another priority will be to understand the role of the Board of Commissioners with the Pipestone County Medical Center and Clinics, and in addition, to become familiar with the management of the medical center and clinics, and also the operation of these.
PCS: What do you feel Pipestone County’s role is regarding growth and economic development?
DN: Whether it is infrastructure improvement, tax abatement or other programs that encourage economic growth in Pipestone County, the Board of Commissioners need to be consistent with their approach to these topics. Their participation in all of these in the appropriate manner is important. Potential businesses need to know what they can expect as they make decisions. It is important to communicate with all geographic areas in Pipestone County to ensure that everyone is working together. The Board of Commissioners need to continue to focus on trying to bring in and keep employment in Pipestone County along with encouraging residents to work locally.
PCS: Name at least one issue or topic the board is working on currently that interests you the most and explain why.
DN: The Board of Commissioners is presently setting the 2023 budget and property tax levy. These are both an important part of their duties. The budget has a major impact on the operation of Pipestone County’s responsibility to provide services for the upcoming year and affects the property tax levy for its citizens. My past experience included working with, setting, and following the budget for the Pipestone County Highway Department.
PCS: What specifically are Pipestone County’s greatest challenges? How would you propose to address those challenges if elected?
DN: The need for enough funding to maintain the services that Pipestone County provides while keeping the property tax levy as low as possible. I would work with the entire Board of Commissioners to show financial responsibility with all funds, and will strongly encourage pursuing available funding from State and Federal resources. I would support bringing jobs, large and small businesses, entrepreneurs and housing to Pipestone County.
PCS: What specifically are Pipestone County’s greatest assets? How would you propose to maintain and/or grow those assets?
DN: Agriculture (crop and livestock producers), and all agricultural related businesses that supply goods, services, employment, etc.
Pipestone County Medical Center and Clinics that provide extensive health care and employment.
The schools in Pipestone County that provide a foundation for our youth, and employment.
The government offices that provide services and employment.
The businesses (large and small) and all they provide to Pipestone County along with employment.
The public service agencies.
The citizens of Pipestone County.
The Board of Commissioners need to keep in mind all of these assets, when considering making new or changing existing services and policies. In addition, they need to support, listen, and address concerns, and satisfactorily make decisions on issues that they have jurisdiction over.
