2024 Victoria Mayoral Candidate
“In the next five to 10 years, I see the Downtown West parcel being built out and a beautiful extension of Victoria’s current downtown, with the same vibrant charm and popularity that exists downtown today. The South growth commercial area will have businesses that provide needed services to residents and help offset tax rates for homeowners.”
— Deb McMillan
Name: Deb McMillan
Website: facebook.com/debforvictoria
Email address: debforvictoria@gmail.com
Home community and how long have you lived in your community:
Victoria, Minnesota. We have lived here for 38 years.
Previous leadership experience:
Elected to Victoria City Council in 2018; elected mayor in 2020. Business owner since 2020. My professional experience includes executive director for several local chambers of commerce, with experience in government affairs, lobbying and workforce issues. I have also served on a number of volunteer boards.
In what community, state, or national organizations have you been involved?
I have held leadership positions on a number of volunteer boards, am active in our church community, and the Minnesota business community.
How have you prepared to serve well in this office:
My professional work experience has provided me the experience and skills to serve as an elected official.
What do you view as the three top priorities for the City and how would you address these?
1. Development: Victoria is a growing community and developing quickly. It is important that we develop the city thoughtfully with respect to the landowners and their wishes, the market and community needs.
2. Transportation: Along with a rapidly developing community comes challenges with the transportation system. Highway 5 traffic far exceeds its safe capacity, and I am committed to continuing to advocate for funding and partnerships needed to expand the highway.
3. Diversified Tax Base: Much of the tax base in the city relies on homeowners’ property taxes. An intentional effort to diversify the tax base and attract business to Victoria is underway.
What differentiates you from the other candidate(s)?
My experience on the council for the past six years and my knowledge and understanding of issues impacting Victoria residents helps inform my decisions.
How would you plan to balance growth and development while maintaining the character of the city?
Victoria has a solid comprehensive plan in place and re-visits it every 10 years to ensure it is still accurate and still reflects the priorities of the community.
What is your approach to managing the city’s budget and fiscal priorities?
The city needs to focus on developing a new sustainable long-range city plan; focusing on diversifying revenue streams (especially energy and commercial expansion), which will result in long-term income and sustainability.
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?
Because of the high prices of land, labor and building materials, this is a hard nut to crack, but it is top of mind for the council and we continually seek opportunities to help close the gap. Victoria works closely with housing developers and has a good partnership with the Carver County CDA to seek opportunities to create housing that meets affordable criteria. Additionally, Victoria is committed to maintaining our existing housing stock that is considered naturally occurring affordable housing.
What, if anything, should the city do to provide additional or improved activities, shopping, dining, recreation, and parks?
Victoria employs a community development professional on staff who is in constant contact with the development community. Those relationships are important as we identify needs for the community. Additionally, it is important for the city to have a good reputation among developers as being a community that is desirable and fair. The city engages residents in a number of ways to get their thoughts on emerging issues including hosting surveys, being in attendance at community events, and reaching out personally. Our advisory committees are critical to decision-making and we depend on them to provide perspective.
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?
We are in contact with the business community and I hope businesses view the city as approachable and easy to work with and open to ideas. We strive to strike a balance that serves current businesses and welcomes new business to the community.
What, if anything, should the city do to increase transparency?
Victoria government is very transparent. Every workshop and City Council meeting is open and recorded so residents can attend in person or view videos of council meetings. Additionally, city staff and council are responsive to resident questions and encourage resident feedback regularly on a number of issues the council is working on. Our recent park survey is a great example and city staff can be found at most community events, engaging with attendees.
Where do you envision the city in the next five to 10 years?
In the next five to 10 years, I see the Downtown West parcel being built out and a beautiful extension of Victoria’s current downtown, with the same vibrant charm and popularity that exists downtown today. The South growth commercial area will have businesses that provide needed services to residents and help offset tax rates for homeowners.
