Wright County’s Mary Wetter is challenging longtime Albertville resident incumbent Michael Potter, the incumbent in District 4, in this year’s race for Wright County Commission.
With the county seeing a new surge in population, particularly in areas like Otsego, we took the time to survey the two candidates in this year’s race.
Michael Potter
Minnesota’s business climate seems to be succeeding, but the overall consensus is “things could be better.” How? What role can the county play in helping our businesses succeed heading into the next decade?
Wright County needs to be aware of what businesses want and are looking for when it comes to location and site selection. Items like work force demographics, transportation needs, Internet download and upload speeds, Hospitals. These and other decisions will determine if a business decides to make Wright County home.
Wright County is experiencing growth in nearly every corner, yet infrastructure seems to be lagging behind in many areas, particularly growing communities. How can Wright County catch up without gouging taxpayers?
Wright County has begun to address infrastructure issues. Transportation, space needs along with upgrades to existing buildings while being mindful of impacts to the taxpayers. We are fortunate to have major increase to our tax capacity to help offset these costs.
What can be done to bridge the divide at the county level? Those who attend meetings are often left feeling that compromise seems to be truly a lost art. Where can we come together and make Wright County, Minnesota better by 2020?
I’m not sure what divide there is except four years ago when four new Commissioners were elected, we needed to come to consensus on what we felt are priorities for Wright County. I think our board talks issues out well with compromise.
The way to make us better is to be transparent and open with the taxpayers, explain the how and why things are happening. And show that the County Board has a vision and a plan for a great future in Wright County within the confines of fiscal constraints.
Mary Wetter
Minnesota’s business climate seems to be succeeding, but the overall consensus is “things could be better.” How? What role can the county play in helping our businesses succeed heading into the next decade?
Unemployment is reported as being down. Yet you don’t see businesses doing any expanding so that there are more jobs available. Many businesses are leaving Minnesota because of the high taxes. They are leaving Minnesota and leaving the U.S. because of the high taxes and costs. I don’t think that the business climate is good. There doesn’t seem to be a day that you don’t hear in the media that some business is closing or downsizing.
The county can help this situation by having easier not stricter planning and zoning regulations. Also key transportation routes must be kept in good condition and updated to handle needs. Property taxes must be kept low enough to attract both businesses and workers to live in the county and work here. With a good county infrastructure, less regulation, a fair tax rate, a decent housing environment, and a good offering of public services, businesses will be attracted here, afford to stay here, and workers will want to live and work here.
Wright County is experiencing growth in nearly every corner, yet infrastructure seems to be lagging behind in many areas, particularly growing communities. How can Wright County catch up without gouging taxpayers?
I don’t think that the county can ever “catch up.” Taxpayers can only afford so much and the budget must be followed. There are so many other things besides infrastructure that also are in the budget and need maintenance or need to be funded. I treat taxpayer money as if it were my own and am very conservative in spending. My opponent constantly says that bonding is cheap right now and now is the time to act and bond. This is the county’s credit card and I don’t believe that over extending that credit card is wise. Payments must be made and that only takes from the everyday budget and maintenance for other things. If the bonding amount gets too high, the county’s rate would only go up to make the project unaffordable. Grants must be sought whenever possible with the amount of the county’s match taken into consideration. Prioritizing need, not wish lists must be followed in creating the budget. Frills should not be part of any project. By prioritizing the needs, age, condition, amount of use, safety, etc., and sticking to the budget like households must, the taxpayer should not be gouged.
What can be done to bridge the divide at the county level? Those who attend meetings are often left feeling that compromise seems to be truly a lost art. Where can we come together and make Wright County, Minnesota better by 2020?
Everyone seems to always want something and I agree won’t compromise. I think our leaders need to learn to listen more to their constituents and not worry about re-election or making a name for themselves or using their power to berate anyone. Maybe being a little more humble and really weighing what will be best for everyone is what needs to be considered without increased taxes.
When considering options though, everyone must also remember that the county must abide by state and federal mandates and regulations, besides our own zoning regulations, so that there could be no compromise in some projects and funding of them. The county would only end up in court with more costs to the taxpayer. Thus in certain cases, the county commissioners’ hands would be tied and compromise might not be an option.