Dallas County 3 to 5 Supervisors

In the 2024 election, Waukee voters as well as other Dallas County voters were asked if they support expanding the Dallas County Board of Supervisors from three members to five members. Voters approved the measure, and Dallas County is in the process of fulfilling this change. 

In the spring of 2025, the redistricting board, which is bipartisan, drew new maps for the 5 supervisor districts. Options are presented to the Board of Supervisors to review, make comments and make changes. Once it’s finalized, the district map is presented to the Secretary of State’s Office for review.

In 2026, electing the additional supervisors will go through the regular primary method to choose nominees and then candidates will be on the ballot in the general election in November. 

Why was this measure brought to voters?

Dallas County has added thousands of people in recent years, which means many more people and businesses for each supervisor to represent. Many counties of similar size to Dallas County have boards with five or more members. Increasing the number of board members from three to five would give individual supervisors more time to connect with the people and businesses in their district, so they can make informed decisions in governing the county and determining how revenue from property taxes is spent. More than 5,000 Dallas County residents signed a petition to add this question to the ballot. 

Other Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What does the Board of Supervisors do for Dallas County? 

The board meets regularly to consider and act upon official business for Dallas County. It sets rules and policy for the county, such as what the county’s portion of property tax revenue is spent on. Learn more about what the board does at Dallas County Board of Supervisors web page. 

What is a supervisor on this board responsible for?

All supervisors attend regular board meetings to talk about proposed changes and make official decisions on legislation, policies, and budgets. They answer questions and requests from residents, business owners, and other elected officials.

How would expanding the board affect representation in Dallas County?

Dallas County has a mix of small towns, rural areas and suburban cities, which means there are many different needs, interests, and points of view that the Board of Supervisors should consider when making decisions for all of Dallas County. By adding two more spots on the board, representation of these many different needs could be managed more efficiently.

What will change in county governance if the measure passes?

A five-member board could contribute additional insight and diversity into the decisions made at the County level. It could support greater representation for the residents within Dallas County now as well as into the future as the County continues to grow in population. 

Will the expansion increase county expenses?

A resident could expect the County to account for things like new salaries or health insurance costs related to adding two new board members. Any additional costs associated with the increase in number of supervisors would need to be determined as a part of the budgeting process for the County. 

Could expanding the board impact decision-making efficiency?

With more members, discussions or deliberations on some topics may take longer. However, standard procedures and rules of order would continue to guide meetings and ensure that decisions are made efficiently, regardless of the number of board members.