The Itat Quarterly

Q: How long have you been the treasurer of Poweshiek County?
A: I was elected to my first term January 2019.

Q: How did you get your start?
A: I grew up in Knoxville and headed to AIB after high school, where I earned an associate degree in Accounting and Finance. Quick shout‑out to AIB—it was a fantastic business school that truly prepared people for real‑world success. For a kid who didn’t come from a “college family,” AIB offered far more than academics; it gave me the confidence and practical skills to thrive in the workplace.  I’m very sad that these programs dissolved.

After college, I spent seven years working for Principal Financial in Colorado Springs and Midland Bank in Kansas City. When I moved back to Knoxville, I joined the Treasurer’s Office because I wanted a short commute, IPERS, and, as the locals like to say, one of those “cushy courthouse jobs.”  … Two out of three ain’t bad…

I began my career in the Marion County Treasurer’s Office in 2000.  In 2005, I enrolled at Simpson College to finish my bachelor’s degree in another field. As graduation approached, Treasurer Denise Emal pulled me aside and told me she hoped I would take over for her someday.  After much contemplation, it felt like a great opportunity.  At the time, “someday” felt a long way off. I started learning the ropes, and before I knew it, someday arrived much faster than expected.

Q: How many team members do you have in your office?
A: I have 7 full-time employees including my tax deputy.

Q: What are some successes that you have had during your time as treasurer?
A: My brain thrives on structure, and I work best in environments where outcomes are predictable. Public service, of course, is not that.  However, public service allows for a level of creativity that comes with chaos.  Over the years, my greatest successes have come from creating department workflow and technology solutions that bring consistency to the work and require fewer keystrokes.

I’ve never believed in doing things simply because “that’s how we’ve always done them.”  There is always a better way, and we owe it to both our taxpayers and our staff to find solutions that make our offices run as smoothly, efficiently, and transparently as possible.

Q: What are some challenges you have faced, and how have you overcome those challenges?
A: Treasurers juggle a lot of balls at once—property taxes, accounting, revenue reporting, investments, audits, motor vehicles, driver’s licensing, budget planning, staff management, and leadership roles within both the county and the association - just to name a few. And these balls aren’t uniform. They’re different sizes, textures, and they move at different speeds.  Treasurers must be very mentally athletic.

Regardless of our best efforts, the one thing any seasoned treasurer will assure you is that we all drop a ball sometimes.  The bottom line is that none of us can meet the expectations of this job alone. For me, personally, decision fatigue can be paralyzing.  The only way to succeed is to lean on our fellow treasurers. We are fortunate to have a group of treasurers with such diverse viewpoints, knowledge, experience, and personalities. I could not do this job without them, and I’m grateful every day for the guidance and support they provide.

Q: What solutions or accomplishments are you most proud of?
A: Honesty and good work matter to me; not winning.  I’m most proud when I’m able to make a connection with someone and work through a challenging situation together.  I try to meet people where they are, and it’s always important to me that everyone feel valued.  I believe the strongest plans come from open communication—especially when people disagree but choose to work through it rather than shut each other out.

Q: What are your future goals for your team and your office?
A: My goal for the Marion County Treasurer’s Office has always been for it to run without me.  I don’t want it to be AIB - I want it to be here long after I’m gone.  It’s important to me that I invest and develop in my staff so that they can think critically and make decisions independently.  I never worry about mistakes.  We can fix those.  We need a team that can communicate, solve problems together, and learn from mistakes.  The Treasurers’ office is not a lifetime career for everybody, but my hope is that those who have worked with me will look back on their time here and value what they learned.

Q: What are you looking forward to most?
A: Retirement. 😃 

Q: What is something about you that most people don’t know?
A: My husband has been on Dateline, Inside Edition, The Accused, and Court TV.  Involuntarily.

I’m basically a very shy person who often talks too much.  It’s a weird dichotomy.  I prefer to do good work behind the scenes and communicate one-on-one or in small groups when it comes to conflict and issues rather than stand in front of a large group.  But somehow life keeps shoving a microphone in my face.

Q: What is something unique to your county?
A: Knoxville Nationals – Knoxville is the Sprint Car Capitol of the World.  Population is 7,500, but we have a ½ mile dirt racetrack in the center of town that seats around 30,000 people.  Weekly events begin in April.  Every August, we attract that many visitors plus over 200 race teams and non-race party-goers to our little burg to attend the Knoxville Nationals.  People come not only from all over the United States, but we have repeat visitors from Australia, UK, etc, every year.  As a result, Knoxville is growing.  The former VA property now boasts 24 new homes along with multiple new businesses in a few short years. 

Pella Tulip Time – Pella has a population around 10,500 with a rich Dutch heritage.  It’s a quaint town with strict expectations that businesses will maintain a Dutch façade and offer traditional Dutch products.  Every May, over 100,000 visitors descend on Pella for their annual Tulip Time festival.

Lake Red Rock – The largest lake in Iowa, it is a man-made reservoir constructed by the US Army Corps of Engineers in the 1960’s for flood control.  Because it remains under federal control, there are no homes or businesses cluttering the shore.  Although the lake is man-made, this leaves the views natural and undisturbed.  The lake supports fishing, hunting, boating, swimming, camping, and trails for hiking and biking.

Although we lose out on some tax base because Lake Red Rock takes up almost 30% of our available land space, we offer an amazing place to visit in the hearth of Iowa with all the supporting amenities.  Marion County has 738 federal, state, and local campsites along with lakeside conservation cabins for rent, numerous hotels, and privately owned vacation rentals.  We have hospitality down to a science!

Q: What are some of your hobbies?
A: I love all the usuals – my dogs, women’s basketball, travel, reading, hiking/being in nature, working out, thrift shopping.  In general, anything that preserves my peace.

I’m also the co-founder of Your Life Matters (est. 2017), a suicide prevention organization that raises funds for local youth to educate and promote mental health issues.  We provide speakers, curriculum, and awareness materials to our local school districts.

I belong to our local Rotary, and I tend to be a sucker for any local cause that needs help.  Each year, my husband and I do a big cribbage tournament and meat raffle in our garage that raises funds for a person or local cause.

Q: Tell us about your family.
A: My husband, Brian, and I live in Knoxville with our two golden retrievers – Otis and Millie.  My son, Kieran, is my oldest.  He turned 30 in September which is confusing to me because I still feel in my 30’s.  He lives and works in Cedar Rapids with his wife, Jordyn, whom we also love like our own.  They are expecting their first child – a GIRL!!! – due date Easter Sunday.  Linn County residents can expect to see me a lot more frequently soon.  😊  My daughter, Quinlan, lives in Minneapolis with her dog, Yosi (short for Yosemite as she is an avid hiker/camper).  She teaches at an alternative school in Brooklyn Center and absolutely loves helping students become successful.  She’s a free spirit so we’re not quite sure where she’ll land next.

Q: What was your favorite vacation?
A: Costa Rica after my husband retired from his first career in law enforcement.  We liked it so much, we went again.

 Michaela Bigaouette, Marion County Treasurer