Jake Cordes
Name: Jake Cordes
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651.249.8653
Campaign Website:
Twitter handle: @jakecordesmn
Facebook Page: Jake Cordes for Farmington City Council
Candidate Bio
I was born and raised in Farmington and am deeply committed to our community's long-term success. After completing my degree in Leadership and Management from the University of St. Thomas, I decided to move back to my hometown, where I have dedicated my adult life to service. My wife Bridget and I are excited to raise our newborn son, Oliver, here among family and friends. Professionally, I work in Business Development at Finch & Daisy Consulting, which serves real estate owners and developers nationwide.
My qualifications go beyond being a local; I have extensive experience in local government, including eight years on the Farmington Area School Board, where I also served as the school representative to the EDA. During that time I learned a lot about leadership, governance, budget setting, and will utilize these skills on the City Council.
Over the past year, I’ve actively contributed to the Farmington Rotary Club through service projects and fundraising. My additional community involvement includes serving on the boards of the Tiger Fan Club, Farmington Area Education Foundation, and Dew Days Committee. My goal is to continue enhancing Farmington as a vibrant destination where people are eager to live, work, and play.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
My leadership style is grounded in servant leadership. I firmly believe that anyone seeking political office should focus on serving the community rather than wielding authority or control. I would work collaboratively with residents, fellow Council members, and all City staff to make bold decisions that will best guide Farmington into the future.
What would be your top three priorities if elected? How might these priorities be affected by the state's projected economic outlook?
My top three priorities if elected to the Farmington City Council are:
Recent projections indicate slow but steady growth over the next few years. We must consider this as we work with businesses and governmental partners to promote Farmington. Additionally, with rising costs across the board, we need to be mindful of how we spend taxpayer money on City projects.
What do you consider the biggest challenge and conversely, the biggest opportunity in Farmington?
Farmington’s biggest challenge and greatest opportunity are interconnected. The primary challenge facing Farmington is the lack of a broad tax base. Currently, our residents bear most of the tax burden, and we need to focus on growing our business community to broaden that base. On the other hand, our greatest opportunity lies in signaling to businesses that Farmington is "open for business" and eager to welcome them into our community. Expanding our tax base will provide significant relief to our residents and ensure Farmington’s success for years to come.
Please characterize your perspective on the ideal collaboration between government and the business community when it comes to tackling challenges whether they be education, housing, or workforce development. Do you feel the outcomes of the 2023-2024 legislative session positively or negatively impacted that collaboration and our state's business climate?
Direct lines of communication between government units and the business community are the most effective way to tackle these challenges. When businesses provide feedback to government units, it is crucial that these units listen. I want to foster these lines of communication and celebrate the successes that occur when government and the private sector work together. In my opinion, the last legislative session will negatively impact the state's business climate, as too many new mandates were enacted that will harm long-term business growth. Additionally, the legislature imposed several mandates on local governments and school districts that shifted costs to municipalities and limited decision-making at the local level. Taking away local control will hinder our ability to partner effectively with other governmental units and our business community.
How would you characterize the business climate in Farmington and what role do you think the city should have in attracting and retaining jobs and new businesses in Farmington?
Improving. I applaud the efforts of our City Council and EDA over the past few years in promoting Farmington and ensuring that businesses and real estate developers know we are "open for business." We need to continue aggressively promoting Farmington to attract more commercial development, creating opportunities for our residents to shop locally. I am also excited about the increased partnerships between the City and local businesses through formal and informal networking events, efforts to recognize existing businesses and their milestones, and celebrations of new businesses through ribbon cuttings and grand openings.
What are your strategies to address public safety challenges in your community?
The most important strategy for addressing public safety challenges in our community is listening. We need to continue heeding the expertise of our Police and Fire Departments. Having participated in several ride-alongs with members of our Police Department, I’ve witnessed firsthand the level of expertise present at every level of the organization. Utilizing this expertise has been a successful strategy, as Farmington has consistently been ranked as one of the safest communities in Minnesota. I am committed to listening to our police officers and firefighters and using their expert opinions to make the best decisions for our community.
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability?
We need to continue studying the local housing market to ensure we have the right mix of residential options. Over the last few years, we have seen an increase in the development of market-rate apartments and senior living communities. The future City Council should continue to support these opportunities for both current and future residents. Unfortunately, inflation and high interest rates have made the American Dream of homeownership increasingly unattainable. As a city, we need to work with landowners and developers to build more housing in Farmington and increase the available supply.
How would you work to improve transportation options in your community, including improved safety for transit riders, pedestrian/bike, and drivers alike?
One of the most important responsibilities of a City Council is to prioritize funding for safe roads, bridges, sidewalks, and trails. Residents consistently rate our trails as one of their favorite amenities in Farmington. We need to allocate funding appropriately to ensure these trails are updated and safe. Similarly, we must continue to utilize the newly developed Pavement Condition Index to address repairs needed for roads throughout town. By using this tool and developing a long-term plan for road repairs, we can ensure that our roads are safe for both drivers and bikers.
We also need to continue advocating for Farmington with our partners at Dakota County and the State to secure additional funding for repair and safety improvements for state and county roads in our city. Regarding transit options, I support exploring the possibility of connecting Farmington to existing Metro Transit bus routes through a park-and-ride location, as well as expanding Metro Mobility options for community members who cannot access existing bus routes in other areas.
Cities have addressed many ongoing needs with temporary, federal COVID relief dollars, what are your plans to ensure fiscal stability as these federal, one-time funds run out?
I believe that the current City Council has done a great job using one-time funds for one-time projects. This mindset should continue with any future one-time funds received from the state or federal government. Allocating this money to one-time projects, rather than ongoing expenses, is prudent and ensures that our local taxpayers are not burdened with new, ongoing costs.
Uber/Lyft wages and proposed childcare subsidies funded by local property taxes are just a few areas where local units of government are wading into policy debates that may be best suited at the state. Please articulate the different scopes of work between state and local government (City/County). Are there specific areas of policy that the city should lead on in lieu of the state or county government?
Typically, I am a strong advocate for local control. However, we are seeing more cities in Minnesota extending their influence into areas that are better managed at the state level. This patchwork of standards and policies makes it increasingly difficult for companies to comply with local regulations. Issues such as wages, childcare subsidies, environmental requirements, and paid leave should be managed at the state level, allowing cities to focus on core services like public safety, infrastructure, and parks and recreation. At the same time, the state needs to recognize that some issues are best handled locally and allow local governments to make decisions that are in the best interest of their communities.
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651.249.8653
Campaign Website:
Twitter handle: @jakecordesmn
Facebook Page: Jake Cordes for Farmington City Council
Candidate Bio
I was born and raised in Farmington and am deeply committed to our community's long-term success. After completing my degree in Leadership and Management from the University of St. Thomas, I decided to move back to my hometown, where I have dedicated my adult life to service. My wife Bridget and I are excited to raise our newborn son, Oliver, here among family and friends. Professionally, I work in Business Development at Finch & Daisy Consulting, which serves real estate owners and developers nationwide.
My qualifications go beyond being a local; I have extensive experience in local government, including eight years on the Farmington Area School Board, where I also served as the school representative to the EDA. During that time I learned a lot about leadership, governance, budget setting, and will utilize these skills on the City Council.
Over the past year, I’ve actively contributed to the Farmington Rotary Club through service projects and fundraising. My additional community involvement includes serving on the boards of the Tiger Fan Club, Farmington Area Education Foundation, and Dew Days Committee. My goal is to continue enhancing Farmington as a vibrant destination where people are eager to live, work, and play.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
My leadership style is grounded in servant leadership. I firmly believe that anyone seeking political office should focus on serving the community rather than wielding authority or control. I would work collaboratively with residents, fellow Council members, and all City staff to make bold decisions that will best guide Farmington into the future.
What would be your top three priorities if elected? How might these priorities be affected by the state's projected economic outlook?
My top three priorities if elected to the Farmington City Council are:
- Economic Development – We need to focus on both marketing Farmington to attract new businesses and retaining the excellent businesses we already have.
- Fiscal Responsibility – The City Council serves as the steward of taxpayer dollars, and we must spend wisely, focusing on core services such as public safety, infrastructure maintenance and repair, and providing top-tier parks and recreation programs.
- Collaboration – We must collaborate with other local governments, businesses, and our partners at the county, state, and federal levels to promote Farmington and improve our community.
Recent projections indicate slow but steady growth over the next few years. We must consider this as we work with businesses and governmental partners to promote Farmington. Additionally, with rising costs across the board, we need to be mindful of how we spend taxpayer money on City projects.
What do you consider the biggest challenge and conversely, the biggest opportunity in Farmington?
Farmington’s biggest challenge and greatest opportunity are interconnected. The primary challenge facing Farmington is the lack of a broad tax base. Currently, our residents bear most of the tax burden, and we need to focus on growing our business community to broaden that base. On the other hand, our greatest opportunity lies in signaling to businesses that Farmington is "open for business" and eager to welcome them into our community. Expanding our tax base will provide significant relief to our residents and ensure Farmington’s success for years to come.
Please characterize your perspective on the ideal collaboration between government and the business community when it comes to tackling challenges whether they be education, housing, or workforce development. Do you feel the outcomes of the 2023-2024 legislative session positively or negatively impacted that collaboration and our state's business climate?
Direct lines of communication between government units and the business community are the most effective way to tackle these challenges. When businesses provide feedback to government units, it is crucial that these units listen. I want to foster these lines of communication and celebrate the successes that occur when government and the private sector work together. In my opinion, the last legislative session will negatively impact the state's business climate, as too many new mandates were enacted that will harm long-term business growth. Additionally, the legislature imposed several mandates on local governments and school districts that shifted costs to municipalities and limited decision-making at the local level. Taking away local control will hinder our ability to partner effectively with other governmental units and our business community.
How would you characterize the business climate in Farmington and what role do you think the city should have in attracting and retaining jobs and new businesses in Farmington?
Improving. I applaud the efforts of our City Council and EDA over the past few years in promoting Farmington and ensuring that businesses and real estate developers know we are "open for business." We need to continue aggressively promoting Farmington to attract more commercial development, creating opportunities for our residents to shop locally. I am also excited about the increased partnerships between the City and local businesses through formal and informal networking events, efforts to recognize existing businesses and their milestones, and celebrations of new businesses through ribbon cuttings and grand openings.
What are your strategies to address public safety challenges in your community?
The most important strategy for addressing public safety challenges in our community is listening. We need to continue heeding the expertise of our Police and Fire Departments. Having participated in several ride-alongs with members of our Police Department, I’ve witnessed firsthand the level of expertise present at every level of the organization. Utilizing this expertise has been a successful strategy, as Farmington has consistently been ranked as one of the safest communities in Minnesota. I am committed to listening to our police officers and firefighters and using their expert opinions to make the best decisions for our community.
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability?
We need to continue studying the local housing market to ensure we have the right mix of residential options. Over the last few years, we have seen an increase in the development of market-rate apartments and senior living communities. The future City Council should continue to support these opportunities for both current and future residents. Unfortunately, inflation and high interest rates have made the American Dream of homeownership increasingly unattainable. As a city, we need to work with landowners and developers to build more housing in Farmington and increase the available supply.
How would you work to improve transportation options in your community, including improved safety for transit riders, pedestrian/bike, and drivers alike?
One of the most important responsibilities of a City Council is to prioritize funding for safe roads, bridges, sidewalks, and trails. Residents consistently rate our trails as one of their favorite amenities in Farmington. We need to allocate funding appropriately to ensure these trails are updated and safe. Similarly, we must continue to utilize the newly developed Pavement Condition Index to address repairs needed for roads throughout town. By using this tool and developing a long-term plan for road repairs, we can ensure that our roads are safe for both drivers and bikers.
We also need to continue advocating for Farmington with our partners at Dakota County and the State to secure additional funding for repair and safety improvements for state and county roads in our city. Regarding transit options, I support exploring the possibility of connecting Farmington to existing Metro Transit bus routes through a park-and-ride location, as well as expanding Metro Mobility options for community members who cannot access existing bus routes in other areas.
Cities have addressed many ongoing needs with temporary, federal COVID relief dollars, what are your plans to ensure fiscal stability as these federal, one-time funds run out?
I believe that the current City Council has done a great job using one-time funds for one-time projects. This mindset should continue with any future one-time funds received from the state or federal government. Allocating this money to one-time projects, rather than ongoing expenses, is prudent and ensures that our local taxpayers are not burdened with new, ongoing costs.
Uber/Lyft wages and proposed childcare subsidies funded by local property taxes are just a few areas where local units of government are wading into policy debates that may be best suited at the state. Please articulate the different scopes of work between state and local government (City/County). Are there specific areas of policy that the city should lead on in lieu of the state or county government?
Typically, I am a strong advocate for local control. However, we are seeing more cities in Minnesota extending their influence into areas that are better managed at the state level. This patchwork of standards and policies makes it increasingly difficult for companies to comply with local regulations. Issues such as wages, childcare subsidies, environmental requirements, and paid leave should be managed at the state level, allowing cities to focus on core services like public safety, infrastructure, and parks and recreation. At the same time, the state needs to recognize that some issues are best handled locally and allow local governments to make decisions that are in the best interest of their communities.