Cole County presiding commissioner canidate interview: Paul Dupuis

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Sam Bushman is stepping down from his seat as Cole County's presiding commissioner, leaving the field open for two Republicans -- Mike Bernskoetter and Paul Dupuis.

ABC 17 News talked to each man ahead of the Aug. 4 primary.

No Democrats have filed in the race.

SUTTON PARKER: Walk me through your decision to run for office, especially for this position. What made you decide to put your name on the ballot?

PAUL DUPUIS: I looked at the ballot earlier and had seen who was running and didn't see anyone but one person, and decided that the voters of this county deserved to have a choice. I had made this decision a few years ago to consider running for a position and to give back to the community that has given us meaning, Downtown Chiropractic Clinic, the success that we've had, my father and I. So I decided that this was something that I wanted to do, and I really wanted the voters to have a choice. 

PARKER: How long has this business been open, and how long have you been in Jefferson City? 

DUPUIS: Well, my father opened this business or took it over in 1977. He has been here almost 50 years now. I came in with him in 2007 as a chiropractor. I went to Helias High School in 1986. I graduated from there in 1986. I did move here, though. I was born in Canada. Moved here in 1984. Finished my last two years of high school at Helias and graduated there in 1986. And came back in 2007 to go to practice with them. 

PARKER: On the campaign trail. I'm sure you've been speaking with a lot of voters. What have they said? Or what is the biggest concern from voters when it comes to the Cole County commissioners and the presiding commissioner?

DUPUIS: They're very appreciative that we have, that they've been given a choice to vote. I guess one of the concerns is it's, it's always a concern: money, is the budget, where is everything going? And as you know, nothing gets cheaper as it goes along.

So, there are some, some concerns with different issues in the county in terms of buildings like the courthouse. I've heard issues about the jail, and expanding it or what we're going to do in that direction, which would involve the sheriff. But that's mostly what I've been hearing about was, again, a lot of positive feedback with the fact that they have a choice; they can vote for a couple different people to speak to.

PARKER: If elected into this office, what would be your priority? First thing that you would take on as Cole County presiding commissioner? 

DUPUIS: Wow, that's a good question -- first thing I'd take on as Cole County presiding commissioner? One would be to finish this little tour that I have of all of our facilities. I've already started that. I've met with a couple of different things. But I think a lot of it would be to make sure, economically, that we're going the right direction. That's really the big thing for me. And make sure that we're being really, really good with the people's money since it's taxpayer money. 

PARKER: When you say being economically good with the money, can you kind of speak to, like, what you mean by that?

DUPUIS: Yeah. So economically, I mean, are we spending that to make sure we're not wasting money, make sure we're spending it where it needs to be spent, make sure that we are doing the projects that are the highest on the list first, prioritizing those and working through those projects?

PARKER: You emphasize that you're a community leader and not a career politician. How does that mindset shape the way you would approach the responsibilities of the presiding commissioner?

DUPUIS: I don't think politics belong in county government. This is a role of running a business. Again, we're using all our funds, which come from taxpayer dollars. And I have all my experiences through running a volleyball club, being president of the Missouri Chiropractic Physicians Association, and working with budgets there. And obviously, here in our business, I understand every dollar is important, and we have to be able to account for that.

PARKER: As a local chiropractor, small business owner, how, or what specific private sector perspectives do you plan to bring to the county commission? 

DUPUIS: Good question. The biggest thing I think for me is that is to be open, accessible, be able to return emails, be prompt with returning and communication to -- it's constituents, to your constituents.

Being accessible, be approachable. Attend all the meetings that you're supposed to attend. And be where you need to be there. I think that's a very important role for this. And I think that's something that I can be counted on doing. 

PARKER: As far as your experience with the Jefferson City Personnel Board, how do you think that's going to guide your relationship that you might have with the Cole County Sheriff's Office?

DUPUIS: Well, it's law enforcement both ways, right? And, dealing with on the personnel board to deal with issues of the police or law enforcement. So I think that just folds right in together. And, and we can maybe bring some ideas over there, or maybe not, I don't know. So I haven't had a chance to meet with Sheriff Wheeler yet, but that's on my books.

PARKER: Earlier, we talked about your property tours. Can you explain to me a little bit more about that? 

DUPUIS: Sure. I went out to, and met with, and had lunch with Eric Landweher. We're talking about public works, and that's when he let me know we're doing a public works revamp of the building and its facilities, which I believe hasn't been done since the mid-70s. And that's a long time ago. That's a lifetime for some people. And it's something that needs to be done, and it will help really drive cost down in terms of taking care of equipment and things like that. 

I went up to the Cole County Community Health Center, which is actually a unique center, and met with Christy. It is unique, I mean, it's the only one in the county, I mean, the only one in the state that is run by a commission. And the programs that they offer are fantastic. The ability for county employees and city employees to use it at a much discounted rate, and they don't get charged their sick leave for going out there and using it. So I think it's a great benefit for employees on one side. It's a great benefit for the county. Also, when the county, when county people who, you know, when people need to use that facility.

PARKER: This might be a little longer of a question, but Missouri voters will decide on Amendment 5, which I'm sure you're aware of, coming up in August as well, which would gradually eliminate the state's individual income tax while allowing, I would say, to expand the sales tax to offset the loss of revenue. How do you anticipate the passing or failing of this amendment to affect Cole County?

DUPUIS: It is a longer question. I think the passing or failing of that is going to affect the county. I don't think it's going to affect the county right away. I think where it can affect the county is if it passes, and we're not watching what we're doing financially. And really, even if it doesn't pass, the county still has to really focus on where our revenue is coming from and how we spend it.

So, for me, I don't know that that amendment really affects us. I think it affects us more if it passes. But, you know, we the voters get to decide that. 

PARKER: Do you have a stance on whether or not, if you want it to pass? 

DUPUIS: I do have my personal opinion on it: I need more information. And so personally, in a doctor's office, that might mean because it's not written in the amendment yet, what is not going to be taxed and what is going to be taxed. So, currently, healthcare is not a taxable thing. So for me, I don't know that I really want this to pass unless they were to put it in there, 'Oh by the way we're not taxing these things, these certain things.' For me, that's an important thing. I don't think my patients need to pay tax on top of their visit to a doctor, and that's kind of where my stance is on it. The way the bill is right now, the way the amendment is, I don't really like it. 

I understand where we're trying to go, and I get the path, and I've seen what it's done in other states, but I think it needs to be defined in clear, clear language. Much, much more, well, clear. And for the voters.

PARKER: In the past, Cole County has had issues with property tax assessments. How would you, as a commissioner, ensure that the assessment process goes smoothly and fairly? 

DUPUIS: Well, since it falls under the assessor, I don't know that the commission has a quote-unquote say over that. That's his priority to do. And yes, we've had an issue. And the assessor's office hasn't done a good job of keeping up with it, let's put it that way. But again, I really haven't. Really.

That's all we need, you know, we start that one over again. I forgot that was going to go off again, too. 

PARKER: Do you want me to say the question again?

DUPUIS: I'm good. Actually, yeah. Go ahead. 

PARKER: So in the past, all counties have had issues with property tax assessments. How would you, as a commissioner, ensure that the assessment process goes smoothly and fairly?

DUPUIS: I think with the assessment of taxes and how it's done, I think it'd be a good start to meet with the assessor himself and find out how his approach is going to be, what his plan is, how it's laid out, and just, you know, tweak it if need be. Work with him. He's the person that's going to be doing it. So whatever assistance I think that the commission can offer would be whatever we can offer would be great. 

PARKER: If you could say one message to voters that are heading to the polls on Election Day, what would you say? 

DUPUIS: Get out and vote. That's the most important thing. I became a citizen in 2022, and I don't take that for granted. And I don't take this country for granted. ... I just think people need to get out and vote. It's your, you get the right to choose who you want in office. And I think it's really important for people to get out and vote. ... I do care who you end up voting for. More so, I care that you get out and vote. I think that is the most important thing. And we know that people don't do that. They don't get out and vote. But we have a lot of amendments on this time. 

We have a large ballot on the, on the mostly Republican side this time. And in the primary, we have a large primary. I think it's very important for people to get out and make their choice.

PARKER: All right. Anything else we'd like to add?

DUPUIS:  No. I'm good.