Cole Button
Age: 29
Occupation: Correctional Officer - Pottawattamie Sheriff's Office
Email: colebuttonforcb@gmail.com
I graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Finance and spent several years working in banking as a financial analyst before deciding to follow a new path in public safety like my dad. Over the years, I’ve served as a financial analyst, a Council Bluffs police officer, and now serve as a correctional officer with the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office. Those experiences have given me a front-row seat to the challenges our community is facing. I’m running for City Council to bring common-sense leadership—focused on keeping our neighborhoods safe, tackling homelessness, supporting local businesses, growing our economy, and fighting for lower property taxes. With my background in both finance and public service, I understand how to make smart decisions that protect taxpayers while helping local businesses and incentivizing entrepreneurship.
Question 1:
Population Growth & Economic Vitality Many residents and business leaders believe that growing the population of Council Bluffs is critical to near- and long-term economic vitality, workforce sustainability, and community vibrancy. Others are more cautious or uncertain about the need for growth, citing a desire to keep the community the way it is.
"Responsible, sustainable population growth is important to ensure our city remains vibrant and economically strong. Growth brings opportunities—more businesses, a stronger workforce, and an expanded tax base that helps us maintain quality city services without placing a heavier burden on current residents. As someone with a background in finance and banking, I understand the importance of balancing growth with fiscal responsibility. Expanding our population and economic base is essential to keeping our city’s finances healthy, but it must be done thoughtfully. Our focus should be on smart growth that fits the character of Council Bluffs and improves the quality of life for the people who already call it home. This means addressing housing shortages with practical solutions, investing in infrastructure, and ensuring that our schools, parks, and public safety services keep pace with new development. We don’t need to double in size overnight, but we should take proactive steps to attract new families and workers who will contribute to the community. This includes supporting local businesses, making Council Bluffs a welcoming place for entrepreneurs, and promoting the unique strengths of our city. Ultimately, my vision is a balanced one: growing in a way that creates opportunity while protecting what makes Council Bluffs special. By planning carefully, we can secure long-term economic growth without losing the character that we all value." |
| Question 2:
Attracting and Retaining Workers and Families Building and maintaining a strong workforce, particularly young professionals and families, is important to ensuring a strong future workforce and a vibrant local economy.
"Attracting and retaining young workers and families is critical to Council Bluffs’ long-term success, and we need a strategy that balances the needs of both businesses and residents. At 29, I can offer a younger person’s perspective on what makes a community appealing to the next generation, while also recognizing the challenges faced by long-time residents. Housing is a top priority. Young professionals and families want affordable, safe, and modern options. At the same time, I’ve spoken with retirees who have lived here for decades but are now considering moving because rising property taxes are straining their fixed incomes. We need a balanced approach—encouraging responsible development while keeping our community affordable for those who built their lives here. Opportunity and quality of life must go hand in hand. With my background in finance and banking, I know how important it is to support small businesses, encourage entrepreneurship, and strengthen partnerships with schools and community colleges. But jobs alone aren’t enough. Many young people don’t move to or stay in Council Bluffs because most entertainment options are across the river in Omaha. To compete, we need more local amenities—restaurants, entertainment venues, cultural activities, and family-friendly recreation—that make people want to live and spend their time here. These improvements also benefit local businesses and expand our tax base. By pairing economic growth with affordability and stronger quality-of-life features, Council Bluffs can attract new families and workers while protecting the residents who have long called our city home." |
| Question 3:
Role of City Government in Economic Development Economic development is increasingly competitive across the Omaha/Council Bluffs metro, the Midwest, and the nation. Communities are vying for limited business investment, talent, and development opportunities. While these efforts are often driven by private and nonprofit partners, city government plays a vital role in creating the conditions for success through policies, infrastructure, incentives, and collaboration.
"Economic development is increasingly competitive, and Council Bluffs must position itself as a community where businesses can thrive and families want to live. While private and nonprofit partners play key roles, city government sets the foundation through policy, infrastructure, and collaboration. First, the city should focus on creating a business-friendly environment. That means keeping taxes and regulations fair and predictable, investing in reliable infrastructure, and streamlining permitting and approval processes so businesses can expand or locate here without unnecessary delays. With my background in finance and banking, I know how much predictability matters when businesses decide where to invest. Second, we need to support our existing businesses as much as we work to attract new ones. That includes strengthening partnerships with the Chamber, schools, and community colleges to ensure our workforce has the skills employers need. It also means listening to small business owners and entrepreneurs and making sure they have the tools to grow—from access to financing to mentorship opportunities. Finally, quality of life is a major part of economic development. When workers and families choose Council Bluffs because of our schools, neighborhoods, entertainment, and recreation options, it makes us more attractive to businesses deciding where to invest. City government should see economic development not just as recruitment, but as building a community where people and businesses alike want to put down roots. By combining fiscal responsibility, business-friendly policies, and investments in livability, we can give Council Bluffs a competitive edge in attracting and retaining both businesses and talent." |
Question 4:
Fiscal Responsibility & City Budgeting Developing and managing the city budget is one of the most important responsibilities of elected officials. A responsible budget must reflect community priorities, comply with legal and financial constraints, and respond to changing economic conditions. Understanding how city revenues are generated, and how those funds can and cannot be used, is critical to making sound decisions.
What experience do you have with budgeting, particularly in government, business, or nonprofit settings? Share your understanding of how a city budget works, including major sources of revenue and how city services are paid for. How would you approach developing and monitoring the city’s budget? What city services or projects would you prioritize?
"Developing and managing the city budget is one of the most important responsibilities of the City Council, and it requires both technical understanding and a commitment to reflecting the priorities of our community. I bring a strong background in this area. I earned a finance degree from Iowa State University and have spent several years working as a financial analyst, where I studied budgets, analyzed spending, and helped organizations plan responsibly for both short- and long-term needs. This experience has given me a clear understanding of how to balance resources, identify efficiencies, and make data-driven decisions.
A city budget is largely funded through property taxes, local option sales taxes, fees, and state and federal support. These revenues pay for essential services like public safety, infrastructure, parks, and sanitation. The challenge is to ensure that these funds are allocated in a way that maintains core services, invests in growth, and keeps our city affordable for residents—especially retirees and families who are struggling with rising property taxes.
My approach would be rooted in fiscal responsibility and transparency. I would prioritize essential services like police, fire, and public works while also making targeted investments in areas that improve quality of life, such as housing, parks, and community development. I would also work to identify underutilized funds or inefficiencies that could be redirected toward higher priorities, ensuring every tax dollar is used wisely.
In short, I bring both the technical expertise and the community focus needed to develop a budget that keeps Council Bluffs strong, sustainable, and affordable."
| Question 5:
Downtown & Corridor Redevelopment Vibrant, well-designed corridors and a thriving downtown are key to a city’s identity, perception, and long-term economic momentum. In Council Bluffs, areas such as First Avenue, West Broadway, the riverfront, and the historic downtown, among others, serve as gateways to the community and focal points for housing, business, entertainment, and civic life. Redevelopment of these areas is central to attracting new investment, residents, and visitors.
"Vibrant corridors and a thriving downtown are essential to Council Bluffs’ identity and long-term economic momentum. First Avenue, West Broadway, the riverfront, and our historic downtown are gateways to the community and the first impression for visitors, businesses, and potential new residents. My vision is to strengthen these areas in ways that respect our city’s character while attracting new investment and opportunities. I believe our focus should be on practical, achievable redevelopment of underutilized areas within the city. Examples include older commercial strips along West Broadway, vacant lots near downtown, and former industrial sites near the riverfront. These areas offer real opportunities for new housing, businesses, and entertainment without displacing the community assets residents value most. To spur redevelopment, I would support tools such as tax increment financing (TIF) when used responsibly, targeted infrastructure improvements that make sites “investment-ready,” and public-private partnerships with developers committed to projects that fit our community’s needs. Just as importantly, I would prioritize corridor beautification and amenities that make these spaces inviting—walkability, green spaces, and family-friendly attractions. By focusing on smart redevelopment of underutilized areas, we can expand housing options, strengthen downtown, and attract businesses and visitors, all while preserving the landmarks and open spaces that make Council Bluffs a place people are proud to call home." |
Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil Questionnaire
1. Why do you want to serve in this office?
I want to serve on the City Council because I’m a third-generation resident and I care about the future of this city. My mother grew up in Council Bluffs, and my grandmother lived here for more than 50 years. This city has shaped my life, and I feel a responsibility to give back and help guide it into the future.
I also bring a unique background. I earned a finance degree from Iowa State University, spent years as a financial analyst, studying budgets and identifying efficiencies. I also have experience in public safety previously as a police officer and now as a correctional officer for the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office. That combination of financial expertise and firsthand experience with our community’s challenges has prepared me to lead with both common sense and compassion.
At 29, I can also provide a younger person’s perspective on what it will take to attract and retain the next generation in Council Bluffs, while recognizing the concerns of retirees and families struggling with rising costs. I’ve seen friends consider leaving because of a lack of amenities, and I’ve spoken with neighbors worried about property taxes pushing them out of homes they’ve lived in for decades.
I’m running because I want Council Bluffs to remain a community where people don’t just work—they want to live, raise a family, and retire.
2. What should voters expect if you’re elected?
First, I’ll listen. Too often, decisions are made without the community’s voice being fully heard. I’ll actively seek out and advocate for public input so residents feel included in the process and know their concerns matter.
Second, I’ll be fiscally responsible. With my background in finance, I’ll make sure taxpayer dollars are used wisely. That means prioritizing essential services like public safety and infrastructure while keeping property taxes affordable for families and retirees.
Third, I’ll focus on smart, balanced growth. Council Bluffs should be a place where people want to live, work, and retire. That requires supporting local businesses, expanding housing options, and improving amenities and quality of life features that attract young families while protecting the character of our community.
Voters can expect a Council member who is approachable, accountable, and committed to making Council Bluffs stronger without losing what makes it feel like home.
3. What’s the most important issue facing voters?
I believe the most important issue facing voters right now is public safety, because it affects every family, business, and neighborhood in Council Bluffs. We’re seeing more challenges with homelessness, drugs coming into our community, and untreated mental health issues. These problems don’t just show up downtown—they ripple into schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods.
As someone who has worked in public safety, I know how important it is to keep our community safe while also making sure people get the help they need. That means strong law enforcement, but also real partnerships with service providers to address the root causes. Families should feel safe letting their kids play outside, and businesses should feel confident investing here.
At the same time, rising property taxes are putting pressure on retirees and working families who want to stay in their homes. If we want a strong, safe community, we must also make it affordable to live here. Keeping Council Bluffs safe and affordable is the foundation for every other issue we face.
4. What's something else you plan to focus on?
In addition to public safety and fiscal responsibility, I plan to focus on improving quality of life in Council Bluffs. Too many young people choose to live in Omaha because that’s where most of the entertainment, dining, and recreational options are. If we want to attract and retain families and young professionals, we need more amenities and community features that make people want to live here.
That also means taking care of the basics—like fixing our broken roads. Residents shouldn’t have to feel like their tax dollars aren’t being used on the services they rely on every day. Well-maintained streets, sidewalks, and infrastructure are the foundation of a safe, vibrant community, and they need to be prioritized.
At the same time, we should focus redevelopment on underutilized areas instead of displacing long-standing community assets. By combining smart growth, better infrastructure, and expanded amenities with strong public safety and responsible budgeting, we can make Council Bluffs a place where families feel safe, retirees can afford to stay, and young people want to build their future.
5. Is the city going in the right direction?
Council Bluffs has made real progress in recent years, but there’s still a lot of work to do. We’ve seen positive steps with redevelopment projects and efforts to attract new businesses, and those should be recognized. At the same time, many residents feel left behind when it comes to the issues that affect them most directly—public safety, rising property taxes, and the condition of our roads and infrastructure.
In my view, the city is moving in the right direction in some areas, but not fast enough or with the right focus. Big projects are important, but so are the basics: safe neighborhoods, affordable living, and streets that don’t damage your car. If we want families and businesses to stay and grow here, we have to get those fundamentals right.
I believe Council Bluffs is full of potential, but we need to make sure we elect members to the Council that listens to residents and puts their priorities first. With common-sense decision-making and balanced growth, we can make sure the city is truly moving forward for everyone.
6. What is your position on the streetcar? Is that position firm or flexible?
While I understand the intent behind the streetcar, I have concerns about the long-term financial impact of the ongoing operating expenses and how similar projects have impact other cities. In Kansas City, the streetcar costs are largely covered by special taxes rather than fare revenue. In Detroit, the QLine averages only about 2,700 daily riders, which fell below what the initial estimates were and needs large annual state subsidies just to keep running. Cincinnati’s system faces a similar problem, with operating costs outpacing revenues by millions every year.
I’d like to see more concrete details of how the ongoing costs would be paid for and where that money would come from and if those funds could be more effectively allocated to issues like fixing our broken roads, keeping neighborhoods safe, and addressing challenges like homelessness, drugs, and mental health.
7. What’s a realistic timeframe to make housing no longer the city’s top priority?
Housing will remain a top priority for Council Bluffs for the foreseeable future. The city currently has about 2,900 new units in the pipeline, with most projected for completion by 2030. That represents meaningful progress, but it won’t fully close the gap between supply and demand.
Population growth, changing household needs, and rising costs mean that even as these projects are completed, demand will continue to grow. Retirees on fixed incomes, young families trying to buy their first homes, and workers looking to live closer to jobs all feel the pressure of limited options and rising property taxes.
That’s why housing cannot be treated as a problem with a fixed “end date.” Instead, it must be managed as an ongoing challenge requiring careful planning, responsible redevelopment of underutilized areas, and continued partnerships with developers who are committed to affordability.
While the next several years will bring additional housing options, I believe housing will remain one of the city’s top priorities beyond that point. The focus should be on steady, long-term progress—ensuring that as our community grows, we maintain a balance where families, workers, and seniors alike can continue to call Council Bluffs home.
8. If you could have the state adopt or change one policy, what would you want?
If I could see one policy change at the state level, it would be to strengthen Iowa’s drug laws to match those of Nebraska. Right now, if you’re caught with meth in Nebraska, it’s an automatic felony. In Iowa, similar possession charges can often be treated as misdemeanors. That difference creates an incentive for drugs to be brought across the river into Council Bluffs, where the penalties are lighter.
In my work at the jail, I see the consequences of this every day. People come in on meth charges, spend a short time in custody, and are released just a few days later—often right back into the same cycle. Meanwhile, meth and other dangerous drugs continue to flow into our community, fueling homelessness, creating more mental health problems, and making neighborhoods less safe.
By aligning Iowa’s penalties with Nebraska’s, we would take away the incentive for traffickers to target our city and give law enforcement and the courts stronger tools to disrupt this crisis. At the same time, tougher laws must be paired with treatment and recovery resources, so that those struggling with addiction have a real opportunity to get better.
Council Bluffs families deserve to feel safe in their homes and neighborhoods, and addressing this policy gap is one critical step toward that goal.
9. What else should voters know about you?
I’m proud to be a third-generation Council Bluffs resident with deep roots in this community. My dad served as an Iowa police officer for over 30 years, and his example shaped my strong pro-police views and my own path into public safety. Today, I work as a correctional officer at the Pottawattamie County Jail, where I see the challenges of drugs, crime, and mental health up close. Combined with my background as a financial analyst with a degree in finance from Iowa State, I bring both frontline and fiscal experience to the City Council.
If elected, I’ll also push for more opportunities for public input before major council decisions. Too often, residents feel left out of the process, and I believe the best solutions come when leaders truly listen to the people they represent.
Above all, I want voters to know I’ll be a strong advocate for public safety, fiscal responsibility, and keeping Council Bluffs a safe and affordable place for families, seniors, and future generations.
10. In a sentence, why are you the right choice?
I’m the right choice because we need leaders who will prioritize keeping our community safe, leaders who will fight to lower property taxes, and leaders who will listen to the people and advocate for more opportunities for public input.