Tama County Treasurer Michelle Yuska (left) and Tama County Recorder Deborah Kupka (right) both announced this week they would be resigning their positions with the county in the near future. Both seats are up for election this November and it's possible the Board of Supervisors may appoint an interim in each case to lead the the two departments until replacements are elected later this year. -- News Chronicle File Photos

With a little more than seven months remaining until the November general election, two long-time elected officials in Tama County formally announced Monday they would be stepping down from their positions, both which are up for election this November.

Since 2005, Deborah Kupka of Clutier has served as the county recorder for Tama County heading up an office that manages the county land and real estate records, issues registrations and titles for things like boats and snowmobiles, manages vital records and issues permits for a variety of outdoor recreation activities.

In a letter submitted to the Tama County Board of Supervisors, Kupka indicated her plans to retire from the position effective July 29, 2022.

Kupka’s career with the county recorder’s office began in 2005 when she was appointed to fill a vacancy left by Marlene Thiessen who retired from the office. She was first elected a year and half later in 2006 and will have served three full terms and two partial terms when she departs in July.

“It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve the citizens of Tama County in my almost 17 years of service in the Recorder’s office,” Kupka said in a statement. “I have met some great co-workers, customers and colleagues while in office and hope to keep some of those connections in retirement. I am looking forward to this new chapter in life with our children, grandchildren, friends and adventures.”

Kupka last won reelection in 2018 when she ran unopposed as a Republican. The recorder seat is one of four county offices up for election in November along with the treasurer, county attorney, and the District 1 supervisor.

Yuska resigns as treasurer

County Treasurer Michelle Yuska of Toledo was the other county official to announce a resignation at Monday’s board of supervisors meeting.

Yuska began work at the county auditor’s office in 2005 as a deputy under Sandra K. Fowler. When Fowler retired in 2010 Yuska ran and won election to fill the treasurer seat later that year. She has since been reelected as a Republican running unopposed in 2014 and 2018.

Yuska’s resignation comes as a result of a career change as she informed the supervisors she had recently accepted a job offer to be the next city clerk for the city of Ankeny. Yuska said she hadn’t been seeking other employment but that an opportunity came up that was too good to pass up.

“It has been an absolute pleasure serving as Tama County Treasurer,” Yuska said in a statement. “I appreciate everyone who has supported me over the years and thank you for it. I would also like to thank the Tama County Board of Supervisors, Tama County officials, and my staff for the wonderful relationships that we have. This decision is definitely bittersweet. I’m excited about my next move, but I will greatly miss seeing Tama County residents and working with all of you.”

The last day for Yuska in the treasurer’s office will be April 8.

What comes next?

The timing of Kupka and Yuska’s resignations comes during an election year and just days before the county election filing deadline.

As of Friday morning, the county auditor’s office reported there had been one candidate file for each office.

Amelia Kemper of Toledo has filed to run in the recorder’s race as a Republican. Kemper currently works as the director of the Kid’s Corner Daycare in Toledo.

Amanda Kriegel of Tama has filed to run as Republican for the treasurer office.

During discussion at Monday’s meeting Yuska indicated she had not seen interest from any of the current treasurer’s office staff in running for the position.

In order to appear on the November ballot as a Democrat or Republican, candidates have a deadline of 5 p.m. Friday, March 25 to turn in their petitions and paperwork to the county auditor’s office.

The amount of signatures required is based on the number of party voters that participated in the 2020 general election. Republicans seeking countywide office are required to secure 100 signatures and Democrats a total of 72.

In the intervening time between now and the November election, the county supervisors will have the authority and the task of determining who will fill the recorder and treasurer vacancies.

The board is allowed to appoint the positions, though no indication was given at Monday’s meeting as to when those decisions would be made. Similar to elected official vacancies at the city level, voters are able to petition to call for a special election to fill the vacancies in lieu of an appointment if enough signatures are secured in the petition.