Keeping taxes low has been hard fought for the last six years. I will continue to make sure we spend on "needs" and not "wants".
Infrastructure
Highway 10
- Continue to monitor the work being done on Highway 10. Intersections at Fairoak and Thurston will be done by 2024. We will begin construction on Ramsey and Sunfish lake Blvds in 2024. Everything is on schedule to be fixed by '26 (2026). These upgrades will change the Expressway with stoplights into a Freeway without stoplights and reduce congestion. An amazing project I worked 16 years on to finally secure all funding to get it done!
3rd Lane on Highway 10
- Additional projects on Highway 10 include adding a 3rd lane from Foley Boulevard to Round Lake Boulevard. We are in our final phase of securing funding for the 3/3 phase...removing lights at Sunfish and Ramsey Blvds. Once built, Highway 10 will be complete, no longer an expressway, but a full-fleged highway
Highway 47
- Funding came in for grade separation at Ferry Street/169 and BNSF railroad tracks! Construction is slated to start in 2024 and end in 2026. Everything fixed by '26! This improvement will significantly reduce congestion in the morning and evening peak travel periods, and dramatically increase safety for all who travel here.
St. Francis
- Continue to work with MNDOT to build a safe solution in St. Francis.... Highway 47/Pederson Drive
- Realign trail on Bridge Street in St. Francis, to eliminate a dangerous traffic crossing. Realign to go under the bridge and follow the river.
Economic Development
- Continue to attract business to Anoka County and Maintain 2nd Fastest Growing county in the state... status
Community Investment
- As a member of the Board of Directors for Youth First, I am committed to the value of youth diversion programs which ultimately lead to saving public safety dollars and provide positive role models for at risk youth.
Communication
- The County has been listening to and addressing the needs of the cities. We have successfully leveraged County resources to come along City resources to provide solutions for roads and other infrastructure needs.
- Broadband (backbone) investment was a top priority for this Board allowing for Government entities to be connected with state of the art communication. Broadband investments will pave the way for business to business sales of high speed internet resulting in increased global competitiveness. We have dedicated 8 million dollars to help fund the necessary connectivity for area that are underserved.
- Transparency. For the first time ever, we have designed an interactive online budget finder( OpenGov) allowing you to see exactly where your tax dollars are being spent.
- Document Imaging. We have increased access to information that you find useful and necessary. It is now available at your fingertips on our web site.
Debt
After taking office in 2010, the county had 190 million dollars in debt. One of my goals was to reduce debt as fast as possible... knowing that being debt free would allow us more financial security going into the future. By paying Cash in Lieu of bonding (debt), we were able to stop the practice of adding debt and start working towards paying it off. By year end, our debt level will be 30 million dollars! Our plan has been working!
