2024 Carver City Council Candidate
“I provide a fresh set of ideas to a council that represents residents throughout the community and those who have not had a voice in the development and planning of the growth in Carver… In five to 10 years I envision Carver as a city that is vibrant, well connected and functional for all, while still respecting residents wishes and wallets.”
— Kayla Pascoe
Name: Kayla Pascoe
Website: pascoeforcarver.com
Email address: pascoeforcarver@gmail.com
Home community and how long have you lived in your community:
Carver, five years
Previous leadership experience:
Chair of the Georgetown University Alumni Admissions Program.
In what community, state, or national organizations have you been involved?
Carver Lions, Guardian Angels Parish Pastoral Council, Carver County Mental Health Local Advisory Council, Carver County Water Management Organization, Crystal Community Outreach Taskforce
How have you prepared to serve well in this office:
I have attended or viewed online city council meetings from the last year, analyzed the current budget proposal and the 2040 Comprehensive Plan, and spoken directly with members of the community. I also am a licensed attorney with experience in legal analysis and contract interpretation.
What do you view as the three top priorities for the City and how would you address these?
1. Reduce the increases to the tax levy to a sustainable level. Last year’s tax levy increase was 13.25% and this year it is proposed to be 12.67%. This is not sustainable, especially in a community where most people hold the majority of their wealth in their homes, which are gaining value faster than wages are increasing. I intend to reduce the city budget and day-to-day operating expenses, right-size city holdings, and reduce or eliminate bonding.
2. Maintain a pro-business environment. In order to attract businesses downtown, we need to reduce fees and red tape to allow for investment in property downtown. Lower property taxes and water costs will also benefit businesses as well as residents.
3. Create a united community. In a city like Carver, with several distinct areas, it is important to make sure that amenities and necessities are available and accessible to everyone in the community.
What differentiates you from the other candidate(s)?
I provide a fresh set of ideas to a council that represents residents throughout the community and those who have not had a voice in the development and planning of the growth in Carver.
How would you plan to balance growth and development while maintaining the character of the city?
Small business development downtown is vital to maintaining the historic character of Carver. We also need to be sure to develop recreational facilities for the residents in new developments. Growth and development needs to be managed with the understanding that any growth will change the appearance and footprint of a city, but it does not need to change the community and its values.
What is your approach to managing the city’s budget and fiscal priorities?
Necessities must come first. All the nice-to-haves must be balanced and managed with the resident in mind. They are the ones paying for the amenities, and they need to serve them while keeping costs low in order to keep Carver an affordable place to live.
What measures, if any, should the city pursue to create more affordable housing for the workforce (including young teachers, police officers, health-care workers) and for seniors on limited incomes?
Pro-business, pro resident tax-and-fee policies will make all forms of development more affordable, including multi-unit buildings which can incur large fees and taxes that are passed on to renters.
What, if anything, should the city do to provide additional or improved activities, shopping, dining, recreation, and parks?
Local businesses can be encouraged into the area by reducing redevelopment fees and red tape for these businesses. Small business owners do not have the time or liquid assets to sustain long redevelopment projects. Recreation and parks maintained by the city are a benefit to all residents, but cost, location and use should be in balance with the needs and desires of the community.
If a competitive business climate is important to you, what should the city do to remove barriers so that businesses can move into the city and current businesses can grow?
Zoning should include places for businesses near customers. Reduced fees, reasonable taxes and reduced red tape allow for new and existing businesses to flourish. Allowing companies to advertise will draw people into the downtown from the new development areas.
What, if anything, should the city do to increase transparency?
The city needs to be more proactive in communicating when and how decisions are made regarding the city. Too often people care deeply about an issue and show up to a city council meeting to express their opinions far too late in the process. The council needs to inform interested residents of when they can voice their opinion when it will make the greatest impact. That means reaching out to citizens about issues the council knows they care about to inform them of Planning Commission, committee meetings and work sessions where decisions are actually made.
Where do you envision the city in the next five to 10 years?
In five to 10 years I envision Carver as a city that is vibrant, well connected and functional for all, while still respecting residents wishes and wallets.
