Kai Swanson, county board member representing District 16, poses at his seat in the Rock Island County Office Building. Swanson also serves as the special assistant to the president.
Photo by LuAnna Gerdemann.
Kai Swanson, special assistant to president Bahls, has been appointed to fill a vacancy on the Rock Island County Board following the death of Democrat John Brandmeyer.
Swanson was selected by the county’s Democratic committees and the county chairman Ken Maranda to serve in District 16.
“I am ready to take what I’ve learned at Augie and apply it to our county,” said Swanson, who has worked at Augustana for 29 years. “This is an interesting calling at this stage in my life because it’s a total culture change.”
Swanson took advantage of Augustana’s vocational reflection program while considering the position.
“You’re going to find what is needed around you,” said Swanson.
Swanson said it is then important to match needs with talents.
Swanson said it was this reflection that helped him make the decision to take on this new role.
“Vocation includes the whole life of a person and is not simply his or her own occupation,” said Augustana Pastor Kristen Glass-Perez in an email statement. “It is about figuring out and responding to callings in many areas of your life. Vocation involves all of life’s relationships and how you use and discover your unique skills, gifts, talents, passions and values to meet the needs of the world in all of those different areas.”
Swanson explained the 25-member board oversees the operation of Rock Island, ensuring smooth operation in areas such as the judicial branch, the sheriff’s office, and the county clerk among many others.
“Nobody likes to waste tax dollars,” said Swanson.
Swanson mentioned that times are changing for the county board.
“(The board members) have vestiges in an old way of doing things,” said Swanson.
Swanson explained that the county has hired a full-time professional administrator to oversee the board. This means less reliance on 25 members for the day to day operations. This change allows the board to focus on more strategic planning and less tactical planning.
“You can either capitalize on change or be overrun by change,” said Swanson. “Change is not comfortable.”
One of the big changes is a cut in perks for the county board members.
“Being a county board member is something you do out of obligation and duty, and it is not something you do for perks, ” said Swanson. “In terms of country board members, a few are upset in the taking away of perks, but it is benefiting the residents.”
Swanson gave an example of the closing of the Wilson Center at Augustana as a similar experience of perks being cut for the benefit of the whole community.
The perks of a faculty lounge with discounted meals being taken away for the expansion of the Gerber Center dining hall saved the college more than one million dollars a year, allowing for more financial aid to students.
Swanson said it is time to lean towards efficiency for the whole community.
“Rock Island County needs better government” said Swanson, “If the systems aren’t working, the heart is going to suffer.”
One of Swanson’s goals is to see the board go from 25 members to 15 members.
Swanson will fill the vacancy on the board until November 2016, he then plans to run for the elected position.
