Joe Atkins
Name: Joe Atkins
Public Office Sought: Dakota County Commissioner-District 2
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (651) 247-3333
Campaign website: www.joeatkins.net
Twitter handle: @commishatkins
Facebook page: www.fb.com/Commish.Joe.Atkins
Candidate Bio
Joe and his wife, Julia, grew up in Dakota County, went to school and church here, and chose to raise their family here. They have been married 30 years and have three children. Joe worked full-time to put himself through the University of Minnesota and law school, graduating with honors. For the past 25 years, Joe has been a small business owner and a partner in one of Dakota County’s oldest law firms. Prior to becoming County Commissioner in 2016, Joe served as Mayor of Inver Grove Heights and as a state legislator.
Accomplishments with Joe Atkins as County Commissioner include:
- Dakota County paid off all county debt, making us one of the only counties in the country with zero debt.
- Dakota County earned the nation’s top county award for public safety, out of over 3,000 counties nationwide.
- Dakota County was named the nation’s top local health department.
- Dakota County became Minnesota’s lowest-taxed county, with the lowest county property taxes per person of any of the state’s 87 counties. By way of comparison, county property taxes in Dakota County are 55% lower than in neighboring Ramsey County.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
As a small business owner for over 20 years, I know firsthand that the business climate in Dakota County is excellent. However, like communities across the country, we face challenges. Fortunately, Dakota County’s outstanding public health department, public safety, debt-free status, low property taxes, top schools, and terrific workforce place us in a stronger position than most to help businesses weather economic challenges.
What role do you think the county should have in attracting and retaining jobs, and what steps would you take to solicit new businesses to, and retain existing businesses in, Dakota County?
Our County has an active role in several ways. Our CDA Community Development Agency through our Economic Development Director actively markets our county for new business recruitment and support of existing businesses. We also assist businesses with employment by having an active workforce development board focused on workforce development. In addition to this board, we have County workforce staff working with individual citizens in need of employment and also working on career pathway development with our K12 schools and colleges.
We have a primary role as a County providing support, infrastructure, and a positive environment for businesses to locate to our County, grow, thrive and be successful. As Commissioner I serve on the Workforce Development Board working to keep our county residents fully employed to prevent the use of costly government services used when not employed. With our current and future economy, we are competing with other Counties to grow and ready a trained and diverse workforce. I am committed to the cause of developing a strong, more ready, and plentiful workforce to compete in attracting and retaining great companies and jobs.
What role do you think the county should have in attracting and retaining jobs, and what steps would you take to solicit new businesses to, and retain existing businesses in Dakota County? There are many ways we make Dakota County an attractive place to grow and retain jobs. Please see the answer to #2 above for greater detail. Our workforce board also offers a direct connection for employers to potential employees.
Do you support any specific employment-related proposals in Dakota County (such as minimum wage, sick time, or mandatory scheduling notice)? If so, what steps would you take to understand the impact of a policy on the many types of businesses in Dakota County and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
Dakota County has no plans in these areas but closely tracks legislative proposals that would have an impact statewide.
What policies, if any, would you support to help employers address the labor shortage?
In addition to the ongoing efforts of our Dakota-Scott Workforce Board to connect employers with potential employees, Dakota County has also partnered with Inver Hills Community College and Dakota County Technical College to make training programs less costly and more attractive in several high-demand fields. These include Emergency Medical Technician, Commercial Driver’s License, Certified Nursing Assistant, and Information Technology Certification, among others.
Public safety and rising crime rates are of serious concern to the business community and residents. What strategies or policies would you propose to address public safety issues facing your community?
Fortunately, Dakota County is among the safest counties in the country, and we were singled out for the nation’s top public safety award, beating out over 3,000 counties from across the county. Even so, to remain as safe as possible, we cannot rest on past accomplishments. Recent achievements include the grant-funded construction of our Safety and Mental Health Alternative Response and Treatment (SMART) Center in 2021, which provides advanced crisis intervention and de-escalation training for police officers throughout the region. It also serves as home for our highly effective Electronic Crimes Unit and our Drug Task Force. We also now embed social workers with local police to provide improved and more efficient responses to mental health calls, freeing up police officers to remain on patrol protecting our communities. Since over 60% of inmates at the County jail suffer from mental illness, chemical dependency, or both, these innovative approaches are crucial to long-term public safety in our communities.
What strategies or policies would you use to address housing issues?
In addition to affordable workforce housing constructed by or in partnership with Dakota County’s Community Development Agency, our having the lowest county taxes in Minnesota makes housing more affordable for all residents. As an example of what a difference this makes, county property taxes in Dakota County are 55% lower than in neighboring Ramsey County. On a median valued home, this saves Dakota County homeowners nearly $1,000 every year.
What strategies or policies would you propose to address transportation issues facing your community? Have your strategies or views changed on transportation since we’ve seen shifts in road use, public transportation use, work from home models, etc. due to the pandemic?
Dakota County maintains 424 miles of roads, 83 bridges, 250 traffic signals and over 25,000 signs. All county roads are reviewed regularly, are in good or excellent condition, and are on a rotation designed to keep them that way. We utilize the latest data and trend lines to determine our Capital Improvement Program decisions. Notably, our debt-free status means we do not have to pay tens of millions of dollars in interest on massive debt like other counties. This frees up these dollars for use on infrastructure and other important county needs, but requires thoughtful and careful budgeting, which we do well. I invite readers to compare our county roads to any county or city in Minnesota or across the country.
What are your priorities for the county’s budget?
See #2 above.
What will you do to expand Dakota County’s tax base?
See #2 above.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
In addition to the ongoing efforts of our Dakota-Scott Workforce Board to work with schools, colleges and businesses, Dakota County has also partnered with Inver Hills Community College and Dakota County Technical College to make training programs less costly and more attractive in several high-demand fields. These include Emergency Medical Technician, Commercial Driver’s License, Certified Nursing Assistant, and Information Technology Certification, among others.
Are there any services currently provided by the county that you believe should be cut back or eliminated? Are there new opportunities to share services with other entities?
Dakota County is currently seeking to continue delivering excellent service but with fewer county employees; we have not replaced many employees who have retired or left for new positions. We also have many partnerships in which we share services in Dakota County. For example, Dakota County partners with our local cities to deliver 911 emergency services, saving the county’s taxpayers over $10 million as a result.
What is the role of the County Board in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Dakota County?
We are fortunate to have some of the best minority- and women-owned businesses in Dakota County that can successfully compete with anybody for work. For example, three of Minnesota’s five largest and most successful women-owned businesses are located in Dakota County.
What further policies can Dakota County adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
Passing zero-dollar county tax increases two years in a row, together with administering federal, state and local grants, has been a good start. Our ongoing efforts to provide an educated workforce, affordable housing, and the state’s lowest county taxes will also need to remain priorities.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
Comments, questions and suggestions from residents and businesses about Dakota County priorities and services are always welcome. I can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at (651) 438-4430.
Public Office Sought: Dakota County Commissioner-District 2
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (651) 247-3333
Campaign website: www.joeatkins.net
Twitter handle: @commishatkins
Facebook page: www.fb.com/Commish.Joe.Atkins
Candidate Bio
Joe and his wife, Julia, grew up in Dakota County, went to school and church here, and chose to raise their family here. They have been married 30 years and have three children. Joe worked full-time to put himself through the University of Minnesota and law school, graduating with honors. For the past 25 years, Joe has been a small business owner and a partner in one of Dakota County’s oldest law firms. Prior to becoming County Commissioner in 2016, Joe served as Mayor of Inver Grove Heights and as a state legislator.
Accomplishments with Joe Atkins as County Commissioner include:
- Dakota County paid off all county debt, making us one of the only counties in the country with zero debt.
- Dakota County earned the nation’s top county award for public safety, out of over 3,000 counties nationwide.
- Dakota County was named the nation’s top local health department.
- Dakota County became Minnesota’s lowest-taxed county, with the lowest county property taxes per person of any of the state’s 87 counties. By way of comparison, county property taxes in Dakota County are 55% lower than in neighboring Ramsey County.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
- Keeping Dakota County debt-free. Currently, we are one of the only counties in the country with zero debt. Not having to pay tens of millions of dollars in interest payments like other metro counties do each year helps Dakota County hold down property taxes for residents and businesses.
- Continuous improvement in already exceptional public health, public safety, and parks. Dakota has been named the nation’s top local health department, has been singled out for the National Association of Counties top award in public safety, and is home to award-winning parks, trails and natural areas enjoying record-setting popularity.
- Remaining Minnesota’s lowest-taxed county. Having the lowest property taxes per person of any of the state’s 87 counties and being home to some of the nation’s best schools makes Dakota County a uniquely attractive place to live, work, and raise a family, as well as start, grow or relocate a business.
As a small business owner for over 20 years, I know firsthand that the business climate in Dakota County is excellent. However, like communities across the country, we face challenges. Fortunately, Dakota County’s outstanding public health department, public safety, debt-free status, low property taxes, top schools, and terrific workforce place us in a stronger position than most to help businesses weather economic challenges.
What role do you think the county should have in attracting and retaining jobs, and what steps would you take to solicit new businesses to, and retain existing businesses in, Dakota County?
Our County has an active role in several ways. Our CDA Community Development Agency through our Economic Development Director actively markets our county for new business recruitment and support of existing businesses. We also assist businesses with employment by having an active workforce development board focused on workforce development. In addition to this board, we have County workforce staff working with individual citizens in need of employment and also working on career pathway development with our K12 schools and colleges.
We have a primary role as a County providing support, infrastructure, and a positive environment for businesses to locate to our County, grow, thrive and be successful. As Commissioner I serve on the Workforce Development Board working to keep our county residents fully employed to prevent the use of costly government services used when not employed. With our current and future economy, we are competing with other Counties to grow and ready a trained and diverse workforce. I am committed to the cause of developing a strong, more ready, and plentiful workforce to compete in attracting and retaining great companies and jobs.
What role do you think the county should have in attracting and retaining jobs, and what steps would you take to solicit new businesses to, and retain existing businesses in Dakota County? There are many ways we make Dakota County an attractive place to grow and retain jobs. Please see the answer to #2 above for greater detail. Our workforce board also offers a direct connection for employers to potential employees.
Do you support any specific employment-related proposals in Dakota County (such as minimum wage, sick time, or mandatory scheduling notice)? If so, what steps would you take to understand the impact of a policy on the many types of businesses in Dakota County and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
Dakota County has no plans in these areas but closely tracks legislative proposals that would have an impact statewide.
What policies, if any, would you support to help employers address the labor shortage?
In addition to the ongoing efforts of our Dakota-Scott Workforce Board to connect employers with potential employees, Dakota County has also partnered with Inver Hills Community College and Dakota County Technical College to make training programs less costly and more attractive in several high-demand fields. These include Emergency Medical Technician, Commercial Driver’s License, Certified Nursing Assistant, and Information Technology Certification, among others.
Public safety and rising crime rates are of serious concern to the business community and residents. What strategies or policies would you propose to address public safety issues facing your community?
Fortunately, Dakota County is among the safest counties in the country, and we were singled out for the nation’s top public safety award, beating out over 3,000 counties from across the county. Even so, to remain as safe as possible, we cannot rest on past accomplishments. Recent achievements include the grant-funded construction of our Safety and Mental Health Alternative Response and Treatment (SMART) Center in 2021, which provides advanced crisis intervention and de-escalation training for police officers throughout the region. It also serves as home for our highly effective Electronic Crimes Unit and our Drug Task Force. We also now embed social workers with local police to provide improved and more efficient responses to mental health calls, freeing up police officers to remain on patrol protecting our communities. Since over 60% of inmates at the County jail suffer from mental illness, chemical dependency, or both, these innovative approaches are crucial to long-term public safety in our communities.
What strategies or policies would you use to address housing issues?
In addition to affordable workforce housing constructed by or in partnership with Dakota County’s Community Development Agency, our having the lowest county taxes in Minnesota makes housing more affordable for all residents. As an example of what a difference this makes, county property taxes in Dakota County are 55% lower than in neighboring Ramsey County. On a median valued home, this saves Dakota County homeowners nearly $1,000 every year.
What strategies or policies would you propose to address transportation issues facing your community? Have your strategies or views changed on transportation since we’ve seen shifts in road use, public transportation use, work from home models, etc. due to the pandemic?
Dakota County maintains 424 miles of roads, 83 bridges, 250 traffic signals and over 25,000 signs. All county roads are reviewed regularly, are in good or excellent condition, and are on a rotation designed to keep them that way. We utilize the latest data and trend lines to determine our Capital Improvement Program decisions. Notably, our debt-free status means we do not have to pay tens of millions of dollars in interest on massive debt like other counties. This frees up these dollars for use on infrastructure and other important county needs, but requires thoughtful and careful budgeting, which we do well. I invite readers to compare our county roads to any county or city in Minnesota or across the country.
What are your priorities for the county’s budget?
See #2 above.
What will you do to expand Dakota County’s tax base?
See #2 above.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
In addition to the ongoing efforts of our Dakota-Scott Workforce Board to work with schools, colleges and businesses, Dakota County has also partnered with Inver Hills Community College and Dakota County Technical College to make training programs less costly and more attractive in several high-demand fields. These include Emergency Medical Technician, Commercial Driver’s License, Certified Nursing Assistant, and Information Technology Certification, among others.
Are there any services currently provided by the county that you believe should be cut back or eliminated? Are there new opportunities to share services with other entities?
Dakota County is currently seeking to continue delivering excellent service but with fewer county employees; we have not replaced many employees who have retired or left for new positions. We also have many partnerships in which we share services in Dakota County. For example, Dakota County partners with our local cities to deliver 911 emergency services, saving the county’s taxpayers over $10 million as a result.
What is the role of the County Board in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Dakota County?
We are fortunate to have some of the best minority- and women-owned businesses in Dakota County that can successfully compete with anybody for work. For example, three of Minnesota’s five largest and most successful women-owned businesses are located in Dakota County.
What further policies can Dakota County adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
Passing zero-dollar county tax increases two years in a row, together with administering federal, state and local grants, has been a good start. Our ongoing efforts to provide an educated workforce, affordable housing, and the state’s lowest county taxes will also need to remain priorities.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
Comments, questions and suggestions from residents and businesses about Dakota County priorities and services are always welcome. I can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at (651) 438-4430.