2026 Carver County Commission Candidate – District 2
“My vision for the future of Carver County is here! You only need to leave your home to see the highway construction occurring everywhere as we are the fastest growing county in Minnesota. That is in large part due to our robust and growing cities and people desire to live in them and in Carver County.”
— Tom Workman —
Name: Tom Workman
Email address: tworktom@gmail.com
City of residence: Chanhassen
Professional and volunteer background:
I have had a dual career in both business and elected government. My private business experience was primarily in trucking and primarily in all aspects of the solid waste industry. My volunteer background in Chanhassen spans everything from youth sports coaching, Rotary Club, Chanhassen Lions Club (twice past president) to my current role with the Save Old St. Hubert group. When volunteerism arises, Tom Workman has always raised his hand!
What makes you the best candidate in this race:
Experience. Four years on the Chanhassen City Council, 10 years fighting for Carver County in the Minnesota House of Representatives (chair of Transportation Policy Committee) and my current role as chair of the Carver County Board. My spouse, Carolyn, and I raised four great children in our great local schools and now get to see the benefit of six grandchildren. These are invaluable experiences reflecting the citizens of Carver County.
What would be your top 3 priorities if elected commissioner:
Keep taxes low. Keep Carver County residents safe. Finish the great work we have done on our infrastructure from Highway 212 to Highway 5 and beyond.
What if any programs would you target for augmentation or elimination if elected to this role:
Carver County Commissioners are in a state of perpetual budgeting. We start in May and continue through December. Serious questions of what should stay and what should go is constant. While our overall budget for 2027 is $200 million, the portion directly related to our property taxes is about $85 million. That is the part of the budget that gets the most scrutiny because the other portion is required by the state and federal governments. Within the $85 million lies the libraries, license centers, parks and most of the items we prefer to have. I will continue to maximize efficiencies in these areas and look to taxpayers to help the Board decide what to cut.
With future growth projected for the county, what factors do you feel are important to consider as opportunities arise:
Factors as we grow will see increased demand on Health and Human Services, Public Safety (Sheriff’s Office) and Transportation (highways). Carver County has great employees doing wonderful things in these three very large areas of our budget.
What is your vision for the future of the county and how do you hope to achieve that vision:
My vision for the future of Carver County is here! You only need to leave your home to see the highway construction occurring everywhere as we are the fastest growing county in Minnesota. That is in large part due to our robust and growing cities and people desire to live in them and in Carver County. Just as we weathered the construction of Highway 212, the completion of the Arboretum Area Transportation Project (primarily Highway 5) will bring brighter days to our communities.
How would you address, if at all, ongoing property tax increases:
The biggest problem facing Carver County taxpayers is the cost shifts from the State of Minnesota. Rather than balance their (Legislature’s) budget, they shift the program costs to us taxpayers, thereby negating the costs in their own budgets. Millions of dollars being shifted to your property tax statement is a huge problem. Connecting to #5 above, every dollar and every program the state pushes to your Carver County property tax statement is a dollar taken away from things like our libraries and parks.
With so much attention focused on state and national issues, how will you engage the community to increase awareness of local issues:
I am always engaged in our community. From the 4th of July party and parade to the Chanhassen American Legion, Lions Club and a ribbon cutting at the new Victoria Fire Station, I am everywhere, man! (Thanks Johnny Cash).
