2024 Carver County Commission – District 1

Name: Lisa Anderson

Website: lisaforcarvercounty.com

Email address: lisa@lisaforcarvercounty.com

Home community and how long have you lived in your community:

Chaska for 22 years

Previous leadership experience: 

13+ years ECCS School Board, 3+ years Board Chair, 5 years Vice Chair; Negotiation Team 6x; Minnesota School Board Association Board; Association of Metropolitan School Board; Southwest Metro Intermediate School District Board; 30 years as a leadership coach, consultant and facilitator; 10 years operating a leadership consulting firm.

In what community, state, or national organizations have you been involved?

SouthWest Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce; Chaska and Chanhassen Rotary; Chaska/Chanhassen Hockey Association; Boy Scouts Pack 301 Den Leader; Westwood Community Church VBS/Sunday School Teacher; Miracles of Mitch Foundation Board Member (now Pinky Swear Foundation); Carver County Health Partnership; Chanhassen Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee.

How have you prepared to serve well in this office:

I have prepared for this role by:
– Campaigning for Carver County Commissioner for District 1 in 2022.
– Watching or attending Carver County Board meetings for the past 2½ years.
– Reviewing board materials in addition to the county strategic plan and budget.
– Developing relationships with a variety of county stakeholders, including fellow commissioners, county employees, not-for-profit leaders, and other community leaders.
– Engaging with the community by participating in community organizations and activities as well as canvassing to better understand the concerns of the families of Carver County.

What do you view as the three top priorities for the County and how would you address these?

As the fastest growing county in Minnesota, Carver County needs leadership to prepare for the anticipated additional 50% growth in the next 10 years. We need to develop a shared vision for this future to:

1. Create efficiencies by taking a hard look at where resources are spent, seeking areas to streamline and ensuring there is a return on investment for taxpayer dollars.

2. Make Carver County an easier place to do business — this will add tax revenue, services and jobs to our community.

3. Prepare for future housing, transportation and infrastructure requirements in partnership with our cities to meet the needs of all residents and families.

What differentiates you from the other candidate(s)?

As a business woman, military mom and public servant, I offer a perspective that is not currently represented on the County Board. I have a history of engaging with the community, providing innovative solutions and getting things done. My practical, strategic, results-oriented approach will challenge the status quo, and focus on ensuring Carver County is a great place to live, work and play for generations!

How do you plan to manage the county’s annual budget while ensuring that essential services are maintained and improved? 

Balancing services while stabilizing property taxes should be the highest priority of the Carver County Board. It will take leadership and planning and I would advocate to: Develop a strategic plan to prioritize services; Reallocate the budget based on identified priorities; Create a long-term budget projection that would look beyond the current year to create a tax stabilization plan.

The tax levy to fund the county budget is a major item of the property tax bill. How would you propose to inform and engage residents so they become more involved in issues and informed on how county money is spent? 

A simple graphic would support communication of how taxpayer dollars are spent. When I served on the school board, we used a graphic of a dollar bill to communicate the different areas of spending. A visual like this is a simple and effective way to communicate responsible spending of taxpayer dollars. The job of the commissioners is to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely. Through my observation of board activities, I believe the budget could be more thoroughly examined to ensure Carver County families are receiving a good return on their investment. There are also opportunities to collaborate with other government entities and organizations to better communicate the value provided to the families of Carver County.

What, if anything, should the county do to provide additional or improved activities, recreation, and parks?

Our parks, dog parks and trails are some of the recreational activities that attract families to our community. Recreational activities are critical for mental wellness. A long-term plan, developed in collaboration with the community, will ensure that these amenities are available for our children and grandchildren.

If a competitive business climate is important to you, what should the county do to see that private sector businesses can start and grow in our county?

Private sector business fall under the purview of our cities, yet there are opportunities to collaborate to attract businesses that will provide needed services and jobs. It is also time to review and revise county ordinances and policies to make it easier for businesses to work with and operate in Carver County.

What, if anything, should the city do to increase transparency?

In my experience as a school board member, we moved from open-door meetings where only board meetings were recorded, to all meetings live streamed and recorded, including the superintendent selection process. This demonstrates my commitment to transparency. I believe taxpayers should have the opportunity to see how their elected officials make decisions. Thus, I would advocate for recording both board meetings and work sessions. Also, up until recently, community members needed to request board materials through the county administrator. All board materials are public information and should be easily accessed. I am pleased to say that through my requests and recommendations, board presentations are now posted on the Carver County website. Additionally, Carver County policies and ordinances should also be posted on the website.

Where do you see the county in the next five to 10 years?

My vision is that Carver County will continue to be a destination for families. We will offer a variety of housing solutions for families of all income levels, a vibrant business community that provides desired services and jobs to our families, and a robust park and trail system that offers the recreational opportunities necessary to enhance personal wellness. Now is the time to plan for our future, engage our community, and identify the next generation of leaders to ensure Carver County remains a great place to live, work and play. Let’s build tomorrow together!

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