Scott D. Johnson
Name: Scott D. Johnson
Public Office Sought: Dakota County Commissioner - District 3
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651 340 5150
Website: facebook.com/votescottdj
Twitter Handle:
Facebook Page: facebook.com/votescottdj
Candidate Bio
I have been a Financial Planner for over 30 years. During this time I have worked with individuals and families to create plans for their future that protect them from financial ruin and achieve success in reaching their financial goals. I work with business managers on creating cost efficient employee benefit plans, and business owners on long range business continuation and succession planning.
I have owned a Flight School and taught people to fly (and land again!) and to plan a successful flight in all kinds of conditions. This requires leadership, courage, discipline and trustworthiness, and these are strengths I will bring to the County Board.
I have been an active volunteer in the community working with teens and adults on mentoring and leadership programs. I have brought volunteers together to focus on mutual objectives and reach common goals. These are skills that will be an asset to the Dakota County Board.
Why are you running for this seat?
It is every citizen’s duty to serve their community and country in some fashion. I have the knowledge, skills, and ability to serve in this position. It is the duty of government to be wise stewards of the public’s money but currently the Board lacks a financial professional. This is clearly exemplified by the continued cost overruns on construction projects equating to tens of millions of dollars. Further concerning because these cost overruns have come at the expense of private ownership taken by eminent domain, irreversible damage to the Mississippi River Bluffs, building bridges that are rarely used, and running roughshod over citizens’ priorities – all in the name of bike trails. It is clear to see there is a disconnect between the needs of citizens vs. the wants of government.
What is the biggest challenge facing your district and how would you address it?
Affordable housing is without a doubt one of the biggest issues we are facing today. Government from City, Schools, County, State and Federal levels is on a spending spree where the average citizen is spending more of his/her paycheck on taxes/fees/permits than they are on their own family. When young families cannot afford to live in the community where they work and must commute an hour each way, there is a problem. When Senior Citizens are forced out of the homes they own because property taxes are taking away the majority of their Social Security income, we have a problem. I will focus on efficient and responsible government to assure the needs of our community is met.
What do you believe is the biggest challenge facing Dakota County as a whole and how would you address it?
The biggest problem facing Dakota County as a whole is retaining our identity, our culture, our uniqueness within the metropolitan area by maintaining a high quality of life while keeping it affordable to live here. By providing local jobs, affordable housing, and a sense of pride in local community, law and order - safety, providing needed social services, taking care of our environment. I will be a watchful eye on unnecessary spending so we can retain our high quality of life while keeping it affordable to live here.
What would be your top three priorities if elected to the Dakota County Board of Commissioners?
Keeping it affordable to live, work, and play in Dakota County.
Should county government be actively involved in attracting and retaining jobs? Why or why not? If yes, please describe the role for the county in this process.
Yes. We do this by keeping taxes and regulations within reason. A strong and thriving industry means the community will be strong and thriving.
What role should county government play in economic development, and how should the county work with partner organizations?
Government needs to work with business, neither for nor against business to create desirable locations. Dakota County needs efficient transportation systems (roads, buses, shipping), educated citizens to provide a strong base of employees, and affordable housing policies. We achieve this via efficient spending and planning processes.
All too often we see Cities/States competing with industry across the nation for business relocations using tax dollars (i.e. our neighbors’ grocery money). This is not economic development; this is redistribution of other people’s money.
What do you believe are the most essential services provided by county government?
Safety and social services, efficient transportation systems (roads, buses, shipping, utility infrastructure), and our crown jewel Regional Parks. Keeping a community an affordable, safe, healthy, and desirable place to live, work, and play for the young to the retired.
Are there any services that the county does not provide that you believe it should?
In anything in life, that which can be measured – can be improved. Are we using our neighbors’ money efficiently and for the greater good of the community? Every dollar spent needs to be considered in the context; is this a need, or a want? Who can spend it more efficiently in a way that will benefit the community; the person who created it or the government?
Are there any services currently provided by the county that you believe should be cut back or eliminated?
Every budget, every line item, should be reviewed. Let’s start with the Power of ONE.
The County makes it a goal to come in as the lowest taxed county in the state, but that does not mean taxes aren’t going up. They are, and I think we can do better. Government has a position that an annual budget increase is normal. Instead, let’s make it a goal to actually reduce spending by 1% per year. That way, especially for citizens who don’t receive annual pay increases, their county tax burden will not take away more and more of their grocery money.
How would you characterize the business climate in Dakota County? What, if anything, would you do to change it?
Depending on where you are in Dakota County, the business climate is adequate. To make it better, we must continuously review and reduce onerous regulations, reduce business fees and taxes, and make it affordable to people to live, work, and play in Dakota County. We need to strive to make businesses and employees want to locate here for the long term.
What is the role of the Board of Commissioners in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Dakota County?
The board should be working to foster and increase all businesses, owned by all races and sexes in Dakota County.
Many communities and government entities in the East Metro collaborate to provide services to their residents in an effort operate more efficiently and cost effectively. Do you believe that Dakota County uses such partnerships appropriately, and can you identify any specific areas where more sharing of services should be used?
From what I have seen, there is good collaboration among local governments in the area of Public Safety. The key is keeping local control, fair cost sharing, and prioritizing needs vs. wants. The Met Council is a good example of collaboration gone wild. I would strive to reform the unelected Met Council to reduce their level of power over elected local governments.
In your view, what is Dakota County’s top transportation priority and how would you advance it?
This is a top 3 priority – maintaining existing roads, bridges, and sewers. Preventive maintenance on anything, as any homeowner knows, is cheaper than tearing it down and building a new house. It is a shameful waste of our neighbors money when roads are allowed to degrade on the shoulders after a rain storm, park trails are washed out ruts, and pot holes go unfilled for months (years) at a time because the Board prioritizes new wants over existing needs.
For example, in 2020 the County Boards highest legislative wish list item was $23.5 million of State money, which they are proposing to match with their (our neighbor’s) own $23.5 million, to complete 10-miles of bike trail gaps. Imagine how many potholes we could have filled and other needed infrastructure repairs just with the county’s $23.5 million spend on this want vs need.
What further policies can Dakota County adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
Is this a County caused and solvable issue? Unfortunately, the politics of an election year have turned this awful disease into a political issue when it should not be a Left/Right one.
The County can best support this issue by supporting our local EMS, Police, Fire, and Medical practitioners as they deem needed with supplies and community support.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
Have I given you enough information to vote for Scott D. Johnson, Dakota County Commissioner? If not, please call me and we can discuss your concerns. I am asking for your vote, I will not let you down.
Public Office Sought: Dakota County Commissioner - District 3
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651 340 5150
Website: facebook.com/votescottdj
Twitter Handle:
Facebook Page: facebook.com/votescottdj
Candidate Bio
I have been a Financial Planner for over 30 years. During this time I have worked with individuals and families to create plans for their future that protect them from financial ruin and achieve success in reaching their financial goals. I work with business managers on creating cost efficient employee benefit plans, and business owners on long range business continuation and succession planning.
I have owned a Flight School and taught people to fly (and land again!) and to plan a successful flight in all kinds of conditions. This requires leadership, courage, discipline and trustworthiness, and these are strengths I will bring to the County Board.
I have been an active volunteer in the community working with teens and adults on mentoring and leadership programs. I have brought volunteers together to focus on mutual objectives and reach common goals. These are skills that will be an asset to the Dakota County Board.
Why are you running for this seat?
It is every citizen’s duty to serve their community and country in some fashion. I have the knowledge, skills, and ability to serve in this position. It is the duty of government to be wise stewards of the public’s money but currently the Board lacks a financial professional. This is clearly exemplified by the continued cost overruns on construction projects equating to tens of millions of dollars. Further concerning because these cost overruns have come at the expense of private ownership taken by eminent domain, irreversible damage to the Mississippi River Bluffs, building bridges that are rarely used, and running roughshod over citizens’ priorities – all in the name of bike trails. It is clear to see there is a disconnect between the needs of citizens vs. the wants of government.
What is the biggest challenge facing your district and how would you address it?
Affordable housing is without a doubt one of the biggest issues we are facing today. Government from City, Schools, County, State and Federal levels is on a spending spree where the average citizen is spending more of his/her paycheck on taxes/fees/permits than they are on their own family. When young families cannot afford to live in the community where they work and must commute an hour each way, there is a problem. When Senior Citizens are forced out of the homes they own because property taxes are taking away the majority of their Social Security income, we have a problem. I will focus on efficient and responsible government to assure the needs of our community is met.
What do you believe is the biggest challenge facing Dakota County as a whole and how would you address it?
The biggest problem facing Dakota County as a whole is retaining our identity, our culture, our uniqueness within the metropolitan area by maintaining a high quality of life while keeping it affordable to live here. By providing local jobs, affordable housing, and a sense of pride in local community, law and order - safety, providing needed social services, taking care of our environment. I will be a watchful eye on unnecessary spending so we can retain our high quality of life while keeping it affordable to live here.
What would be your top three priorities if elected to the Dakota County Board of Commissioners?
Keeping it affordable to live, work, and play in Dakota County.
- Live – Affordable housing for all ages by keeping property taxes low, having efficient roads and utilities, clean and safe neighborhoods that allow people the ability to choose to drive, walk or bike to school, healthcare, business and local destinations. Easy access to the everyday services a person needs to live and thrive.
- Jobs - If taxes and regulations become too burdensome, business will leave the area. If people cannot find good jobs near where they live, they will move away. If prosperous citizens leave an area, it is a snowball effect on increasing taxes on the less fortunate and a downward slide on the livability of a community.
- Play – People need a place to play as well as work. Dakota County has some of the best wooded parks, streams and lakes in the State of MN, and by far the best urban oasis. Maintaining our large natural parks is important to the livability and workability scales. I will always put a top priority on Park maintenance budgets and keeping Dakota County Parks Wild.
Should county government be actively involved in attracting and retaining jobs? Why or why not? If yes, please describe the role for the county in this process.
Yes. We do this by keeping taxes and regulations within reason. A strong and thriving industry means the community will be strong and thriving.
What role should county government play in economic development, and how should the county work with partner organizations?
Government needs to work with business, neither for nor against business to create desirable locations. Dakota County needs efficient transportation systems (roads, buses, shipping), educated citizens to provide a strong base of employees, and affordable housing policies. We achieve this via efficient spending and planning processes.
All too often we see Cities/States competing with industry across the nation for business relocations using tax dollars (i.e. our neighbors’ grocery money). This is not economic development; this is redistribution of other people’s money.
What do you believe are the most essential services provided by county government?
Safety and social services, efficient transportation systems (roads, buses, shipping, utility infrastructure), and our crown jewel Regional Parks. Keeping a community an affordable, safe, healthy, and desirable place to live, work, and play for the young to the retired.
Are there any services that the county does not provide that you believe it should?
In anything in life, that which can be measured – can be improved. Are we using our neighbors’ money efficiently and for the greater good of the community? Every dollar spent needs to be considered in the context; is this a need, or a want? Who can spend it more efficiently in a way that will benefit the community; the person who created it or the government?
Are there any services currently provided by the county that you believe should be cut back or eliminated?
Every budget, every line item, should be reviewed. Let’s start with the Power of ONE.
The County makes it a goal to come in as the lowest taxed county in the state, but that does not mean taxes aren’t going up. They are, and I think we can do better. Government has a position that an annual budget increase is normal. Instead, let’s make it a goal to actually reduce spending by 1% per year. That way, especially for citizens who don’t receive annual pay increases, their county tax burden will not take away more and more of their grocery money.
How would you characterize the business climate in Dakota County? What, if anything, would you do to change it?
Depending on where you are in Dakota County, the business climate is adequate. To make it better, we must continuously review and reduce onerous regulations, reduce business fees and taxes, and make it affordable to people to live, work, and play in Dakota County. We need to strive to make businesses and employees want to locate here for the long term.
What is the role of the Board of Commissioners in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Dakota County?
The board should be working to foster and increase all businesses, owned by all races and sexes in Dakota County.
Many communities and government entities in the East Metro collaborate to provide services to their residents in an effort operate more efficiently and cost effectively. Do you believe that Dakota County uses such partnerships appropriately, and can you identify any specific areas where more sharing of services should be used?
From what I have seen, there is good collaboration among local governments in the area of Public Safety. The key is keeping local control, fair cost sharing, and prioritizing needs vs. wants. The Met Council is a good example of collaboration gone wild. I would strive to reform the unelected Met Council to reduce their level of power over elected local governments.
In your view, what is Dakota County’s top transportation priority and how would you advance it?
This is a top 3 priority – maintaining existing roads, bridges, and sewers. Preventive maintenance on anything, as any homeowner knows, is cheaper than tearing it down and building a new house. It is a shameful waste of our neighbors money when roads are allowed to degrade on the shoulders after a rain storm, park trails are washed out ruts, and pot holes go unfilled for months (years) at a time because the Board prioritizes new wants over existing needs.
For example, in 2020 the County Boards highest legislative wish list item was $23.5 million of State money, which they are proposing to match with their (our neighbor’s) own $23.5 million, to complete 10-miles of bike trail gaps. Imagine how many potholes we could have filled and other needed infrastructure repairs just with the county’s $23.5 million spend on this want vs need.
What further policies can Dakota County adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
Is this a County caused and solvable issue? Unfortunately, the politics of an election year have turned this awful disease into a political issue when it should not be a Left/Right one.
The County can best support this issue by supporting our local EMS, Police, Fire, and Medical practitioners as they deem needed with supplies and community support.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
Have I given you enough information to vote for Scott D. Johnson, Dakota County Commissioner? If not, please call me and we can discuss your concerns. I am asking for your vote, I will not let you down.