2026 Chanhassen City Council Candidate

“I envision a rebalanced community focusing on restored skills in citizen governance, rebalancing fiscal priorities considering entirety of tax impacts looking at the breadth of property taxation whether state, regional, special, county, school or municipal. “

— Paul Haik —

Name: Paul Haik
Website: https://www.haik4council.com/
Email address: phaik@haik.com
City of residence: Chanhassen

Professional and volunteer background: 

I am an attorney with a B.A. from the University of Minnesota and a J.D. from William Mitchel College of Law. I bring 40 years of experience observing state, regional, county, and municipal government; 40 years of citizen advocacy, and a strong commitment to better citizen governance. Approximate tenure as attorney and coordinator for the Riley Bluff Creek Watershed District, 2001 – 2012. Law practice areas include litigation, local government law, natural resources law. 

Legal counsel and coordinator of three metropolitan watershed districts: Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District, Nine Mile Creek Watershed District and Comfort Lake Forest Lake Watershed District.

What makes you the best candidate in this race: 

Citizens encouraged me to run. For the past four years, I have with engaged Carver County Commissioners regarding local governance (available online through Carver County) regarding electoral changes, government structure and administrative powers. After 40 years of observing state, regional, county, and municipal governance, I believe I can help rebalance decisions affecting citizens, their freedoms, and their opportunity prosper.

What would be your top 3 priorities if elected to City Council: 

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With future growth projected for your community, what factors do you feel are important to consider as opportunities arise: 

Future projects, whether data centered or other needs, must recognize communities continually change as land uses and economic needs and opportunities evolve. Chanhassen’s history is long and insightful. Timber harvesting became farming; farming expanded through new water uses. Urbanizing land use is again shifting water uses and needs. Mining arose thereby fostering economic prosperity and innovating means advancing health and welfare. This history guides our future. Key to decision making is who decides priority? Who sets the standards or lays out the alternatives? Who bears the consequences? A city, a region, a state, or a nation? Short shrift, considering and deeply understanding these questions and diverse answers is key.

What does good civic leadership look like to you: 

I have been consistently meeting over the past five years with citizens and Carver County commissioners to present information during talks and have over the past 25 years spoken to citizens, agency personnel, and professional organizations regarding water planning and use issues. I will continue to do so.

What would you suggest would help to build an informed and engaged citizenry: 

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What is your vision for the future of the city and how would you achieve that vision: 

Chanhassen grew rapidly in density and distinct from traditional housing and land use over the previous 50 years, and with aging within traditional communities, economic burdens are growing. I envision a rebalanced community focusing on restored skills in citizen governance, rebalancing fiscal priorities considering entirety of tax impacts looking at the breadth of property taxation whether state, regional, special, county, school or municipal. Rebalancing must consider cumulative burdens and prioritize essential services and complement those outside that focus by restoring citizen leadership and attendant citizen values.

How would you address, if at all, ongoing property tax increases: 

There are several aspects. First, municipal policies should transparently articulate timing and coordinating of all forms of taxation. Second, planning processes should be more thoroughly disclosed and considered to afford citizens meaningful participation and anticipate unavoidable burdens. Though complex, examining and disclosing diverse legal duties imposed by the Administrative Procedures Act, the Public Employment Labor Relations Act, the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, and similar obligations are part of doing so. Third, considering timing of expenditures. Fourth, reporting borrowing burdens and long-term liabilities flowing from spending.

With so much attention focused on state and national issues, how will you engage the community to increase awareness of local issues: 

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