2024 Chaska City Council Ward 2 Candidate

“While Chaska is the ‘Best Small Town in Minnesota,’ we must recognize that we are growing and becoming more diverse – which will continue to help Chaska be just that. We need to have the resources necessary to be there for all our citizens and anticipate what people’s needs will be. ”

— Josh Benesh

Name: Josh Benesh

Website: Facebook:JoshBeneshforChaska

Email address: joshbeneshforchaska@gmail.com

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

Chaska, MN for 6 years

Previous leadership experience: 

Currently a Battalion Chief with Hennepin EMS Communications division

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

Served communities as an EMT, Firefighter and Paramedic outside of Chaska.

How have you prepared to serve well in this office:

I believe my experiences as a Battalion Chief will help me serve as a leader for the community.

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

1. Managing growth responsibly, and equitably. As growth is imminent, we want to make sure that the challenges associated with it are done responsibly, over all parts of our community.

2. Keeping our city infrastructure up to date by maintaining and updating facilities as necessary and listening to the people of Chaska for what their needs are.

3. Being a leader in the state of Minnesota when it comes to fiscal policies, managing our expectations, and being a place where people want to live and work.

What differentiates you from the other candidate(s)?

I am running unopposed. But my drive to learn and be a leader, along with my past experiences as a leader would differentiate me from others.

How would you plan to balance growth and development while maintaining the character of the city? 

While Chaska is the “Best Small Town in Minnesota”, we must recognize that we are growing and becoming more diverse – which will continue to help Chaska be just that. We need to have the resources necessary to be there for all our citizens and anticipate what people’s needs will be. We also need to maintain and upkeep those resources for our current citizens to continue to recognize Chaska for what it is, but also what it can be.

What is your approach to managing the city’s budget and fiscal priorities?

I plan on listening to the citizens, advisors, and experienced professionals who also have the best intentions for our city.

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?

We’ve done a good job in adding affordable housing options for people, but we need to look at the impact of those options, and the impact of future needs. The population as a whole is aging, and we need to maintain reasonable options for people to live. We also want to remain an attractive destination for people in those professions among others.

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

I think we need to look at all options here, and not rule out any possibilities. Chaska has some great things to do, places to go and shop, and explore the city – but with growth comes the need for more of these things, as well as modernizing them and the city as well.

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?

I believe we need to look at the financial obligations of businesses that exist and want to exist in Chaska first, as that can be a barrier. We also need to look at space, and the quality of current spaces, as well as make sure new business growth can occur.

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

I believe having open meetings is a great start – which we have. I think our leaders can be more vocal on social media as well, since a great amount of people get their information in that way.

Where do you envision the city in the next five to 10 years?

I see Chaska as a destination exurb for people to live, work and raise a family in. I also see us being a prime place for new business growth, and a place where people want to travel to, to do their business.