Dallas County Supervisor Mark Hanson reflects on the rising number of residents in the area.

Hanson tells Raccoon Valley Radio that he’s been on the supervisor committee since 2004, recalling that Dallas County was at a total population of 40,000 people. He says that the 2020 census calculates close to 100,000 people are now in the county with the growth of Waukee, plus portions of Urbandale and West Des Moines. Hanson shares that organizations in Adel were in need of modifications with more people moving in.

“Early on we had problems with the courthouse, and we had to do a bond issue and fix and repair the courthouse, and that was a 10 million dollar bond issue at that time. We had to pass a bond issue to get the law enforcement center built. We had to rehab the old poor farm, which now houses our mental health, our public health, (and the) department of human services, we have to provide space for all at the farm north of town.”

Hanson notes that despite the increase of residents in the county, especially in the suburbs of the urban areas, there is still an obligation to cater to the farm community. Hanson emphasizes that infrastructure is growing as well with recent projects like the completion of the High Trestle Trail – Raccoon River Valley Trail connection and the runway extension at the Perry Municipal Airport.