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(Mayor’s Corner is a regular feature where Carver County mayors share updates, insights, and messages with their communities. City of Carver Mayor Courtney Johnson is providing this edition.)
As another year comes to a close, I want to share my appreciation. Thank you for taking time to read this newsletter, get informed about what is going on in our great community and reaching out when you have a question or a concern.
Here are my updates for December:
Kickoff for the 2050 Comprehensive Plan
Last month the Metropolitan Council’s Interim Chair and our District 4 representative, Deb Barber, and her staff came to Carver to join us at a joint Planning Commission and City Council meeting. Chair Barber led us in a discussion about strategies for community engagement for the upcoming 2050 Comprehensive Plan process, which will begin next year. The Comp Plan is designed to develop policies for future land use, sanitary sewer, water, transportation, parks and much more!
Long-Term Financial Plan
The city maintains a Long-Term Financial Plan which is updated annually and identifies future capital equipment, infrastructure projects, staffing, operations and maintenance needs. The Plan assesses the financial impact of the identified needs, along with the corresponding tax or utility rate impact these investments may have in the General or Enterprise (Utility) Funds. It is important to note the Long-Term Financial Plan shouldn’t be confused with the city’s annual general fund budget, which is what property taxes are determined from. Instead, the Long-Term Financial Plan is based on certain assumptions that reflect a snapshot in time. Actual factors will vary, and those variances will impact the plan. Here’s where you can find the Long-Term Financial Plan: cityofcarver.com/408/Long-Term-Financial-Plan. I encourage you to check it out.
Mayors Luncheon
Last month, along with the Mayors of Chaska, Chanhassen and Victoria, I participated in the SouthWest Metro Chamber of Commerce’s Mayors Luncheon. This annual event allowed me to share highlights from the past year and preview what’s coming to the City of Carver in 2026. Fun fact: This was the first Mayors Luncheon, where all four mayors were women!
Awards
Every year the City of Carver gives out three awards to residents:
- The Edith Anne Award, which honors the legacies of Edith Herman and Anne Neils, who were both instrumental in the preservation of Carver’s historic district in the 1960s, was given to Pat and Erwin Amy at 629 Carver Bluffs Parkway. The award recognizes Carver residents who go above and beyond to maintain their properties and the Amys are definitely worthy of this recognition.
- Barbara Kaiser at 113 4th Street East received the Historic Preservation Award. The award recognizes a project that exemplifies best practices in the preservation and restoration of a structure in Carver’s Historic District. Barbara’s home was built in 1860 by Levi Griffin, who was the first Sheriff of Carver County and an entrepreneur.
- The Greg Osterdyk Community Service Award will be presented this month to Annette Hentz and Carver on the Minnesota, a civic nonprofit group dedicated to supporting Carver’s historic district, its community events and its residents. This year, Carver on the Minnesota launched the Carver Stories Oral History Project, funded in part by a Legacy Grant from the Minnesota Historical Society. Through this initiative, they recorded interviews with lifelong residents about some of the most significant events in Carver’s history.
Mayor for a Day contest
The League of Minnesota Cities, a nonpartisan membership organization dedicated to promoting excellence in local government that I’m proud to serve on the executive board of, is holding their annual Mayor for a Day contest. To enter, fourth, fifth, and sixth graders are asked to write an essay describing what they would you do if they were mayor for a day. Applications can be submitted at LMC.org/about/mayor-for-a-day-essay-contest/. The deadline for submissions is Dec. 12. Students can submit essays via an online form, a PDF email attachment, or through the mail. The winners, who will be notified in January, will receive $100 and recognition in Minnesota Cities magazine.
Dinner with Constituents
I’m hosting small groups in my home for brief, informal dinners throughout the year as a means to meet residents and other stakeholders and encourage community involvement. If you’re interested in taking part, or want more information, please email me at cjohnson@CityOfCarver.com.
Finally, I wish you all a fun and meaningful holiday season, filled with those you love. As always, if you have any questions, comments or concerns about something from this newsletter or anything that’s going on in our community, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Stay connected, be informed and get involved!
Mayor Courtney Johnson
CJohnson@CityOfCarver.com
Cell: 612.702.7703
Facebook: CarverMayorCourtney
Instagram: Carver_Mayor_Courtney
