Campaign Phone Number
7012145611
Public safety, responsible spending, and improving the quality of life in every neighborhood.
The biggest challenge is managing growth without pushing taxes higher.
To address it, I would prioritize essential infrastructure, cut unnecessary spending, and fix the zoning and permitting delays that make housing and development more expensive.
This keeps Minot growing without putting more strain on homeowners.
We meet Minot’s housing needs by making it easier and faster to build, while keeping costs down for residents.
Here’s the short, clear version:
Fix zoning and permitting delays so builders aren’t held up by outdated rules.
Support a mix of housing options — condos, townhomes, and multifamily — to give first‑time buyers and workers affordable choices.
Prioritize infrastructure so new neighborhoods have the roads, water, and utilities they need to grow responsibly.
Yes — the 3% cap will affect the city by limiting how much the budget can grow each year.
Because many costs rise faster than 3%, the city will have to prioritize essentials, delay lower‑priority projects, and operate more efficiently to stay within the cap.
I bring real‑world budgeting discipline, accountability, and a focus on essentials.
My law‑enforcement background helps me understand core service needs, and running a small business taught me to stretch every dollar and plan responsibly. I value transparency, careful review, and putting community needs first.
Campaign Phone Number
7015091977
Fiscal accountability, transparency and responsibility
Financial responsibilities.
I say that because almost everything the city is responsible for takes money. We have a lot of high dollar projects coming up or currently being worked on.
We need to look at the budget piece by piece. In the CIP there's a million+ dollar project to put in a sidewalk (mandated by an ordinance) in a place that is not heavily traveled by pedestrians. I know because I lived a block from their for almost 20 years.
That's a very good question. I believe there is work going on right now on the Land Development Ordinance which should make Minot much more friendly for developers and construction. This is going to be needed for the families coming in for the Military Base renovations as well as those coming in for the Pig Iron Plant. I do believe the building needs to begin now to have homes ready these families begin to come.
It will unless we are willing to tighten the belt and find ways to cut spending.
Experience-- almost 50 years of balancing my own budget, not going into debt except for my first car and my house which were paid off within 1 yr for the car and 7 years for my first home.
Values--I value a balanced budget which means not spending more than we are able to bring in. It means making hard choices that won't make everyone happy.
Campaign Phone Number
8088307595
My top priorities are economic development, public safety, community health, affordable housing, and long-term food sustainability. I support strong law enforcement and first responders, expanded mental health and addiction services, and practical solutions to increase access to safe housing, such as lower property taxes and reduce size of govt. I also advocate for local food sustainability initiatives to improve health, reduce costs, and strengthen community resilience for future generations.
The biggest challenge facing Minot is responsible spending. Rising costs and inefficiencies strain taxpayers while essential services need support. I would prioritize balancing the budget, directing resources to public safety, infrastructure, and community health, and reducing unnecessary bureaucracy so taxpayer dollars are used effectively to serve residents, not systems. Govt waste is the downfall of very free society, and Minot must become a growth hub.
Minot must increase housing supply and affordability. I would streamline permitting, eliminate unnecessary red tape, and modernize outdated residential development ordinances that slow growth. Lowering property tax pressure will help keep housing attainable. By supporting responsible development and removing barriers, we can expand safe, affordable housing options for residents.
No. A 3% cap should not hinder the city. We should be working to reduce the property tax levy further. That requires prioritizing essential services, improving efficiency within government, and supporting private enterprise growth. City staffing has expanded significantly without matching population growth, so we must evaluate spending and ensure taxpayers are receiving real value and accountability.
I bring real-world budgeting experience as a nonprofit executive and small business owner, where every dollar must be justified and outcomes matter. I prioritize transparency, accountability, and disciplined spending. My approach focuses on funding essential services first, public safety, infrastructure, and community unity, while identifying inefficiencies and reducing unnecessary bureaucracy. I believe in data-driven decisions, community input, and responsible use of tax-payer dollars.
Campaign Phone Number
7017216278
I think the top of my list is the timeline of finishing the flood control wall. This project has been in the works for going on 15 years now and by the looks of things it will be another 15 years with even more inflated costs. All of our work will be for nothing if we have another flood and it isn't finished. We need the heart of Minot to be protected from natural disaster. Parks will become available, our greenways will become usable areas, and our insurance rates for people will drop.
I think expansion of economic activity is our biggest concern right now. We have cut so many services already that our only option, it appears, is to start cutting people and I don't believe that is a great option. We need to start investing into the services we already offer and make them something that our citizens want to use.
As I understand it now all of the investment of new housing is put solely on to the developer for them to put in all of the infrastructure to build in home divisions. I think its wise for Minot to ease some of the burden of the home builders by investing into our new neighborhoods by helping with the cost of infrastructure to lower the final asking price on new home development. All new homes now are 350k+ and that is not feasible to most home buyers right now.
Yes and no. 3% seems to me to keep in line with inflation whether we like inflation or not, it's happening. We need to figure out better or alternative revenue streams for our city to keep making money to keep providing more and better city services to our residents.
As a 4th generation North Dakotan and having spent my entire 40 years of life right here in Minot, I only want what's best for our community and residents of our city. As an avid outdoorsman, I try to leave every place I go to, better than I found it. That applies to our home as well. I've spent over half of my life volunteering my time and money for many organizations throughout our community just to try and help as many people, as much as I can. I intend on bringing that to the city with me.
Campaign Phone Number
7018337603
Here are my top priorities if elected:
-Completion of flood protection
-Economic Development through public-private partnership
-Strengthening military commitments & support
-Common-sense leadership
-Fiscal responsibility
Before focusing on challenges, we must appreciate the amazing benefits we enjoy in our community, like great schools, police & fire services, recreation, medical services, and strong infrastructure. That being said, we will always have room for improvement. Taxes and cost of living continue to be top of mind with residents I speak with. As a retired, fixed-income household, I am aware of this myself. Collaboration among staff and council to meet residents' needs and stay within budget is #1.
We should work with developers to reduce barriers and, if it is the will of the elected members of council, possibly incentivizing certain types of building (primarily affordable housing projects). I am strongly in favor of identifying areas within the current infrastructure to build rather than sprawl along the outer edges, as extending infrastructure is cost-prohibitive for the developer, the end user, and the city services.
The only answer here is yes. With health insurance premiums for our employees anticipated to come in at 15-20% higher annually, we will be looking at other areas to cut just to accommodate this expense. I am a fiscal conservative and a realist, and I expect some challenges in the coming years.
For 32 years prior to my retirement, I developed and implemented budgets as Executive Director for a close community partner. Many times, I was forced to make challenging decisions working with my former board to meet our goals and expectations. This experience was invaluable and melds very well with government budgeting.
Campaign Phone Number
7018397473
Making sure tax dollars are wisely spent, including keeping a lid on property taxes; better police & fire protection; increasing openness and accountability in government, and developing a shared vision for the future; improving infrastructure, particularly flood protection and street maintenance; enhancing quality and efficiency of city services.
Financial constraints on the services we can provide. Would address it by improving effectiveness and efficiency of city services, particularly by getting more from our line staff (e.g., giving them the tools, resources, leadership, training, and development opportunities they deserve). Setting specific performance goals for departments and holding managers accountable. Emphasizing a collaborative and collegial approach, between citizens, council, managers, and staff.
Carefully examine zoning and building codes, to see if they inhibit development. Provide incentives to developers of affordable housing. Have the Mayor appoint a committee to carefully study the issues, identify roadblocks, and develop a positive plan for action.
It already has affected our budgeting process. We must continue to look for potential budget savings, and improve efficiency and effectiveness of city services. The actual cost of delivering services (e.g., water and sewer) must be reflected in the fees that are charged. We probably should also be looking at a small sales tax increase (perhaps .25-.50 ¢) specifically dedicated to key priorities: police & fire protection, and improved road maintenance.
Since 1998, I've served on the Council for 16 years, and been through 16 budget cycles. None of the other candidates has any experience with this. We're talking about an organization with 500 employees and a budget of over $200 million; you need to know how the city actually runs and what the key issues are. I believe I have the knowledge, experience, and judgment to help set priorities, achieving a balance between many diverse opinions and constituencies.
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