Property Taxes Spur Big Debate at Waukee Candidate's Forum

It was a battle between the newcomers and experienced leaders Tuesday night at the Waukee Mayor and City Council Candidate Forum held at the .

Five candidates, all vying for seats in Waukee city government, debated Waukee’s dominant issues – everything from property taxes to progress on the Alice’s Road corridor project and other topics. 

The biggest surprise of the night was Daniel Pettit, a relative newcomer who’s challenging incumbent Bill Peard for the office of Waukee mayor. Pettit, took aim at the mayor throughout the hour-long forum blaming the incumbent for everything from high property taxes to a lack of interest in seeing Waukee’s true potential.

“Believe with your eyes, not your ears,” Pettit said of the progress in Waukee. “It’s time for a change.”

Peard, in response, noted that property taxes have not changed during his tenure as mayor of Waukee. He said “the steady tax rate addresses the 170 percent growth” in Waukee, “all while providing great services, high quality of life and an investment into the future.”

The debate was less heated on the other end of the desk, where candidates for the two Waukee City Council spots were seated. Incumbent Casey Harvey joined challengers Chris Colter and Shelly Hughes in discussing issues affecting the city.

Harvey, who appeared well-versed in the city’s issues after serving four years on the Waukee City Council, said his fiscally conservative nature has served the people of Waukee well when it comes to property taxes.

“Taxes are what they are,” he said. “We’ve been doing what we had to do to make sure that we maintain the great quality of life that we have and great services we have.”

Colter and Hughes both agreed that the current city council has done an excellent job running the city — with a few caveats. Colter said he would like to see more attention paid to expanding Waukee’s downtown business district and finding a place to house and honor area veterans.

Hughes, a stay-at-home mom, said she would continue to make Waukee a safe community for families and would encourage the council and other city leaders to listen to the wants and needs of the public before making any changes in city code or policy.

The forum, moderated by Drake University political science professor Dennis Goldford, and sponsored by the ’s Government Affairs Committee, drew a packed house at Waukee City Hall. The election will take place on Nov. 8.