After the applause, retiring Larry Vest completed the passing of the county keys as new Supervisor Curt Hilmer takes on the metallic reins and the seat on the county’s Board. Photo by Vanessa Roudabush.

The Board of Supervisors began the New Year with new appointments. On Monday, Jan. 2, retired Board of Supervisor Larry Vest performed his last duty of office, swearing in his successor, Curt Hilmer.

“Wait, it’s not over. We still have the passing of the ceremonial keys,” said Vest as he handed over the jingling county office keychain to Hilmer.

Starting fresh in the office, Hilmer is ecstatic to take on his new role as Supervisor.

“It was a nice day today. I had my family here with me. I’m really excited to work with Bill, Dan, and Laura. I’m very excited to take this role. Hopefully, I can do a great job for my District 1 people. I’m official now,” he said.

Hilmer will attend a New County Officers certification through the Iowa State Association of Counties (ISAC) later this month. But until then, the new Supervisor on the block is ready to learn on the job with his fellow board members.

A last farewell handshake to retiring Supervisor Larry Vest and congratulations to Curt Hilmer, taking over the District 1 Board of Supervisors position on Monday, Jan. 2. Photo by Vanessa Roudabush.

“It’s going to be [an] evolving deal. Learn as you go, [but] I got two good guys [Supervisors Dan Anderson and Bill Faircloth] to work with, so I’ll be alright,” he said.

With a busy first day of approving three resolutions and dozens of department appointments, Hilmer has already set his sights on what he wishes to accomplish for Tama County citizens.

“I worked for the road department for 25 years. I want to make a difference in our roads, specifically county gravel roads. There are a lot of areas we can improve in that [department],” Hilmer said. “I’m willing to do (some) experimenting on gravel roads with different materials and different maintenance ideas. What we’ve been doing for the last 30 years hasn’t been working, so why not try something new?”

Another concern of Hilmer’s is the ongoing dispute over commercial wind energy projects within Tama County.

“We must get this wind [turbine ordeal] taken care of. We all three need to work together. This group has big hearts, [and] their hearts are in the right place,” he said. “As Supervisors, we need to mend a couple of relations, and I’m hoping to be the guy to do that.”

Newly sworn in Tama County District 1 Supervisor Curt Hilmer, seated, pictured on Jan. 2 surrounded by his family including his wife Kristi Hilmer (right), his children (back row, l-r) Raini Chapman, Kelsi Stoner, Brady Hilmer, and Jaimi Hilmer, and his grandchildren at the Tama Co. Administration Building in Toledo. Photo courtesy of Curt Hilmer.

With a new year and a new County Supervisor, the horizon of Tama County is filled with the possibility of positive progression.