Blake Roberts
Name: Blake Roberts
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Candidate Bio
I am proud to serve as the Mayor of Forest Lake and am seeking reelection to continue building on the progress our community has made. As a lifelong business owner and community leader, I understand the importance of responsible decision making, strong relationships, and creating an environment where businesses and families can thrive. During my time as mayor, Forest Lake has made significant investments in infrastructure, roads, parks, public safety. We are welcoming new businesses, new development, and nearly 100 new homes each year, while continuing to improve the appearance and quality of life in our community. I have worked to strengthen relationships between the city, county, businesses, developers, and community organizations because I believe we accomplish more when we work together. I also believe local government must be financially responsible and accountable to taxpayers. I am running for reelection because I believe Forest Lake is moving in the right direction, and I want to continue the make our city the best place to live, raise a family and do business
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
My leadership style is collaborative, accessible, and results oriented. I believe the best decisions are made by listening to residents, businesses, city staff, council members, and our regional partners and then working together to find practical solutions. At the same time, leadership requires the willingness to make difficult decisions and stand behind them. As mayor, I have worked to bring people together, build strong relationships, and keep our focus on what is best for the long term future of Forest Lake. Local government should be responsive and respectful of differing opinions, but it should also be focused on getting things done. My goal is to lead with common sense, fiscal responsibility and transparency.
What are your top three priorities if elected, and how might they be affected by growing uncertainty around state and federal funding?
My top three priorities would be continuing to invest in infrastructure, advancing economic and downtown development, and maintaining a high level of public safety.
First, Forest Lake must continue investing in our roads, streets, parks, and other critical infrastructure. We have made significant investments in infrastructure over the past several years, and I want to continue that progress while being responsible with taxpayer dollars.
Second, I want to continue the momentum we have created in economic development. Forest Lake should be a community where businesses want to invest, families want to live, and people want to spend time.
Third, maintaining excellent police, fire, and other essential city services will remain a priority. Our residents deserve a safe and vibrant community.
Uncertainty around state and federal funding makes planning and fiscal discipline even more important. We need to continue to aggressively pursue outside funding when it is available, but we cannot build our long term plans around money we are not guaranteed to receive. We need to prioritize projects, maintain reserves, and make responsible investment keeping Forest Lake moving forward, regardless of changes in state or federal funding.
What is the biggest challenge facing Forest Lake right now, and where do you see the greatest opportunity?
One of the biggest challenges facing Forest Lake is managing growth while maintaining the character and quality of life that make our community special. We are growing, and with that growth comes increased demands on infrastructure, public safety, housing, and city services. We need to continue to make sure growth is planned responsibly and that development pays its fair share toward the infrastructure and services it requires.
Our greatest opportunity is the momentum Forest Lake has created. We are investing in our infrastructure, improving our parks, welcoming new businesses, and adding new housing. I believe we have an opportunity to build on that momentum and make Forest Lake a destination for families, businesses, and visitors throughout the region.
How would you characterize the business climate in Forest Lake, and what role should city government play in partnering with the business community to attract jobs, develop the workforce, and address shared challenges?
I believe Forest Lake has a strong and improving business climate, and I am proud of the progress we have made in making our city more welcoming to businesses and developers. We are seeing new businesses open, new housing being built, and significant investment in our community. City government should be a partner and facilitator, not an unnecessary obstacle. Our role is to create a predictable, business-friendly environment, provide clear communication, and work with businesses and developers to find solutions that benefit both the business community and our residents. We also need to recognize that successful businesses create jobs, expand our tax base, and provide services and opportunities for our residents. Developing strong relationships with local businesses, educational institutions, workforce organizations, and regional partners can help us attract and retain employees and businesses. I believe Forest Lake’s future economic success depends on continuing to build a culture of cooperation. When city government and the business community work together, we can create jobs and encourage investment.
What do you view as the most pressing public safety challenges in your community, and how would you address them?
Public safety is one of the most important responsibilities of local government. As Forest Lake continues to grow, we need to make sure our police and fire departments have the staffing, training, equipment, and resources necessary to keep up with that growth. I believe one of our greatest strengths is the dedication of our police officers, firefighters, and other first responders. We need to continue supporting them while being responsible with taxpayer dollars. That means planning ahead for staffing and equipment needs rather than waiting until we have a crisis. We also need to continue investing in infrastructure and transportation improvements that make our roads safer for everyone, including drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. Finally, strong relationships between our first responders and the community are critical. Events such as National Night Out demonstrate the importance of building trust and connecting our police and fire departments with the residents they serve.
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability, and how do you view the role of rent control policies in that process?
Forest Lake needs to continue adding housing to meet the needs of a growing community. I believe the best way to improve housing affordability is to encourage responsible development and increase the overall supply of homes, including a variety of housing types and price points. As mayor, I have worked to make Forest Lake more welcoming to developers and to create an environment where new housing can be built efficiently and responsibly. We are currently seeing close to 100 new homes being added to our community each year, which is important to meeting the needs of both current and future residents.
I do not believe rent control is the right solution. Policies that artificially restrict rents can discourage investment and ultimately reduce the supply of housing. Instead, local government should focus on responsible planning, predictable regulations, and removing unnecessary barriers to housing construction while making sure new development contributes appropriately to the infrastructure and services it requires. Our goal should be to create more housing opportunities well maintaining the quality of life that makes Forest Lake a great place to live
How would you improve transportation infrastructure and safety for drivers, transit riders, cyclists, and pedestrians in your community?
Forest Lake needs to continue making strategic investments in our transportation infrastructure as our community grows. Over the past several years, we have significantly increased our investment in roads and infrastructure, and I believe that progress needs to continue. Our approach should focus on maintaining and improving existing roads while also addressing areas where safety improvements are needed. We need to prioritize projects that improve traffic flow and safety for everyone who uses our transportation system, including drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. Pedestrian safety should be a particular focus. Projects such as the County Road 33 pedestrian safety improvements demonstrate the importance of working with Washington County and other partners to address areas where city, county, and state transportation systems intersect.
I also believe we should aggressively continue pursue state and federal funding opportunities to help pay for major transportation projects rather than relying solely on local property taxpayers, by planning ahead, partnering with other levels of government, and prioritizing projects based on safety and need, we can continue improving Forest Lake's transportation network while being, responsible with taxpayer dollars.
Residential property owners across the region are feeling significant strain from rising property tax bills. How would you approach balancing fiscal responsibility with the demand for services when setting the city levy?
I have seen firsthand how difficult it is to balance the needs of a growing community with the impact that property taxes have on our residents and businesses. I believe we have to be good stewards of every taxpayer dollar. My approach to the levy is to prioritize essential services, particularly public safety, infrastructure and core city services, while continually looking for efficiencies and ways to control costs. Before asking taxpayers for more, we need to make sure we are getting the most value possible from the resources we already have. At the same time, Forest Lake is growing, and growth requires infrastructure and services. Responsible development that expands our tax base can help distribute those costs rather than placing the entire burden on existing property owners. Having served on the Council for almost four years, I understand that budgeting requires difficult choices. My commitment is to make those choices openly, responsibly and with a clear understanding that we are spending our neighbors’ money. We need to maintain the quality of services that make Forest Lake a great place to live and work without losing sight of the affordability pressures facing our residents
What are the two or three issues where you believe city government is best positioned to lead — and why the city rather than the state or county?
After almost four years serving on the City Council, including the last two as mayor, I believe the City is best positioned to lead on infrastructure, responsible economic development and growth, and public safety. Infrastructure is a local responsibility. We understand our roads, water and sewer systems, neighborhoods and future needs better than anyone else. We need to continue planning ahead and making strategic investments rather than waiting for infrastructure to become a problem. Economic development and responsible growth are also areas where local leadership matters. The City controls planning, zoning and redevelopment decisions and can create an environment where businesses want to invest, jobs are created and our tax base grows. My experience on the EDA has reinforced for me how important it is for City Hall to work as a partner with the business community. Finally, public safety is one of the most fundamental responsibilities of local government. We know our community’s needs and work directly with the people who provide police, fire and emergency services. The state and county are important partners, particularly on regional transportation and other issues that cross municipal boundaries. But the City should take ownership of the issues we can directly influence while working cooperatively with our regional partners.
What does real taxpayer transparency look like to you, and what specific steps would you take to achieve it — both in terms of financial reporting and public engagement?
To me, real transparency means that residents don’t have to be experts in municipal government to understand how their tax dollars are being spent or why the City is making a particular decision. Over the past four years, I have learned that transparency is not simply putting documents on a website. It means communicating clearly, making information accessible, answering difficult questions and giving residents an opportunity to be heard before major decisions are made. I would continue supporting clear and accessible budget and financial information, including explaining major changes in spending, taxes, debt and capital projects in plain language. Long term financial and capital planning is also important so taxpayers can see where we are headed rather than looking only at the current year’s budget. Public engagement is equally important. As mayor, I believe in being accessible and listening to residents, businesses and community organizations. We should continue using public meetings, workshops, surveys, community communication and other opportunities to gather input. Most importantly, transparency means accountability. I don’t expect every resident to agree with every decision the City Council makes. But they should be able to understand why we made the decision, see the information we considered, and know that their elected officials are willing to stand by their decisions.
Email:
Campaign Phone:
Campaign Website:
Twitter handle:
Facebook Page:
Candidate Bio
I am proud to serve as the Mayor of Forest Lake and am seeking reelection to continue building on the progress our community has made. As a lifelong business owner and community leader, I understand the importance of responsible decision making, strong relationships, and creating an environment where businesses and families can thrive. During my time as mayor, Forest Lake has made significant investments in infrastructure, roads, parks, public safety. We are welcoming new businesses, new development, and nearly 100 new homes each year, while continuing to improve the appearance and quality of life in our community. I have worked to strengthen relationships between the city, county, businesses, developers, and community organizations because I believe we accomplish more when we work together. I also believe local government must be financially responsible and accountable to taxpayers. I am running for reelection because I believe Forest Lake is moving in the right direction, and I want to continue the make our city the best place to live, raise a family and do business
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
My leadership style is collaborative, accessible, and results oriented. I believe the best decisions are made by listening to residents, businesses, city staff, council members, and our regional partners and then working together to find practical solutions. At the same time, leadership requires the willingness to make difficult decisions and stand behind them. As mayor, I have worked to bring people together, build strong relationships, and keep our focus on what is best for the long term future of Forest Lake. Local government should be responsive and respectful of differing opinions, but it should also be focused on getting things done. My goal is to lead with common sense, fiscal responsibility and transparency.
What are your top three priorities if elected, and how might they be affected by growing uncertainty around state and federal funding?
My top three priorities would be continuing to invest in infrastructure, advancing economic and downtown development, and maintaining a high level of public safety.
First, Forest Lake must continue investing in our roads, streets, parks, and other critical infrastructure. We have made significant investments in infrastructure over the past several years, and I want to continue that progress while being responsible with taxpayer dollars.
Second, I want to continue the momentum we have created in economic development. Forest Lake should be a community where businesses want to invest, families want to live, and people want to spend time.
Third, maintaining excellent police, fire, and other essential city services will remain a priority. Our residents deserve a safe and vibrant community.
Uncertainty around state and federal funding makes planning and fiscal discipline even more important. We need to continue to aggressively pursue outside funding when it is available, but we cannot build our long term plans around money we are not guaranteed to receive. We need to prioritize projects, maintain reserves, and make responsible investment keeping Forest Lake moving forward, regardless of changes in state or federal funding.
What is the biggest challenge facing Forest Lake right now, and where do you see the greatest opportunity?
One of the biggest challenges facing Forest Lake is managing growth while maintaining the character and quality of life that make our community special. We are growing, and with that growth comes increased demands on infrastructure, public safety, housing, and city services. We need to continue to make sure growth is planned responsibly and that development pays its fair share toward the infrastructure and services it requires.
Our greatest opportunity is the momentum Forest Lake has created. We are investing in our infrastructure, improving our parks, welcoming new businesses, and adding new housing. I believe we have an opportunity to build on that momentum and make Forest Lake a destination for families, businesses, and visitors throughout the region.
How would you characterize the business climate in Forest Lake, and what role should city government play in partnering with the business community to attract jobs, develop the workforce, and address shared challenges?
I believe Forest Lake has a strong and improving business climate, and I am proud of the progress we have made in making our city more welcoming to businesses and developers. We are seeing new businesses open, new housing being built, and significant investment in our community. City government should be a partner and facilitator, not an unnecessary obstacle. Our role is to create a predictable, business-friendly environment, provide clear communication, and work with businesses and developers to find solutions that benefit both the business community and our residents. We also need to recognize that successful businesses create jobs, expand our tax base, and provide services and opportunities for our residents. Developing strong relationships with local businesses, educational institutions, workforce organizations, and regional partners can help us attract and retain employees and businesses. I believe Forest Lake’s future economic success depends on continuing to build a culture of cooperation. When city government and the business community work together, we can create jobs and encourage investment.
What do you view as the most pressing public safety challenges in your community, and how would you address them?
Public safety is one of the most important responsibilities of local government. As Forest Lake continues to grow, we need to make sure our police and fire departments have the staffing, training, equipment, and resources necessary to keep up with that growth. I believe one of our greatest strengths is the dedication of our police officers, firefighters, and other first responders. We need to continue supporting them while being responsible with taxpayer dollars. That means planning ahead for staffing and equipment needs rather than waiting until we have a crisis. We also need to continue investing in infrastructure and transportation improvements that make our roads safer for everyone, including drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. Finally, strong relationships between our first responders and the community are critical. Events such as National Night Out demonstrate the importance of building trust and connecting our police and fire departments with the residents they serve.
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability, and how do you view the role of rent control policies in that process?
Forest Lake needs to continue adding housing to meet the needs of a growing community. I believe the best way to improve housing affordability is to encourage responsible development and increase the overall supply of homes, including a variety of housing types and price points. As mayor, I have worked to make Forest Lake more welcoming to developers and to create an environment where new housing can be built efficiently and responsibly. We are currently seeing close to 100 new homes being added to our community each year, which is important to meeting the needs of both current and future residents.
I do not believe rent control is the right solution. Policies that artificially restrict rents can discourage investment and ultimately reduce the supply of housing. Instead, local government should focus on responsible planning, predictable regulations, and removing unnecessary barriers to housing construction while making sure new development contributes appropriately to the infrastructure and services it requires. Our goal should be to create more housing opportunities well maintaining the quality of life that makes Forest Lake a great place to live
How would you improve transportation infrastructure and safety for drivers, transit riders, cyclists, and pedestrians in your community?
Forest Lake needs to continue making strategic investments in our transportation infrastructure as our community grows. Over the past several years, we have significantly increased our investment in roads and infrastructure, and I believe that progress needs to continue. Our approach should focus on maintaining and improving existing roads while also addressing areas where safety improvements are needed. We need to prioritize projects that improve traffic flow and safety for everyone who uses our transportation system, including drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. Pedestrian safety should be a particular focus. Projects such as the County Road 33 pedestrian safety improvements demonstrate the importance of working with Washington County and other partners to address areas where city, county, and state transportation systems intersect.
I also believe we should aggressively continue pursue state and federal funding opportunities to help pay for major transportation projects rather than relying solely on local property taxpayers, by planning ahead, partnering with other levels of government, and prioritizing projects based on safety and need, we can continue improving Forest Lake's transportation network while being, responsible with taxpayer dollars.
Residential property owners across the region are feeling significant strain from rising property tax bills. How would you approach balancing fiscal responsibility with the demand for services when setting the city levy?
I have seen firsthand how difficult it is to balance the needs of a growing community with the impact that property taxes have on our residents and businesses. I believe we have to be good stewards of every taxpayer dollar. My approach to the levy is to prioritize essential services, particularly public safety, infrastructure and core city services, while continually looking for efficiencies and ways to control costs. Before asking taxpayers for more, we need to make sure we are getting the most value possible from the resources we already have. At the same time, Forest Lake is growing, and growth requires infrastructure and services. Responsible development that expands our tax base can help distribute those costs rather than placing the entire burden on existing property owners. Having served on the Council for almost four years, I understand that budgeting requires difficult choices. My commitment is to make those choices openly, responsibly and with a clear understanding that we are spending our neighbors’ money. We need to maintain the quality of services that make Forest Lake a great place to live and work without losing sight of the affordability pressures facing our residents
What are the two or three issues where you believe city government is best positioned to lead — and why the city rather than the state or county?
After almost four years serving on the City Council, including the last two as mayor, I believe the City is best positioned to lead on infrastructure, responsible economic development and growth, and public safety. Infrastructure is a local responsibility. We understand our roads, water and sewer systems, neighborhoods and future needs better than anyone else. We need to continue planning ahead and making strategic investments rather than waiting for infrastructure to become a problem. Economic development and responsible growth are also areas where local leadership matters. The City controls planning, zoning and redevelopment decisions and can create an environment where businesses want to invest, jobs are created and our tax base grows. My experience on the EDA has reinforced for me how important it is for City Hall to work as a partner with the business community. Finally, public safety is one of the most fundamental responsibilities of local government. We know our community’s needs and work directly with the people who provide police, fire and emergency services. The state and county are important partners, particularly on regional transportation and other issues that cross municipal boundaries. But the City should take ownership of the issues we can directly influence while working cooperatively with our regional partners.
What does real taxpayer transparency look like to you, and what specific steps would you take to achieve it — both in terms of financial reporting and public engagement?
To me, real transparency means that residents don’t have to be experts in municipal government to understand how their tax dollars are being spent or why the City is making a particular decision. Over the past four years, I have learned that transparency is not simply putting documents on a website. It means communicating clearly, making information accessible, answering difficult questions and giving residents an opportunity to be heard before major decisions are made. I would continue supporting clear and accessible budget and financial information, including explaining major changes in spending, taxes, debt and capital projects in plain language. Long term financial and capital planning is also important so taxpayers can see where we are headed rather than looking only at the current year’s budget. Public engagement is equally important. As mayor, I believe in being accessible and listening to residents, businesses and community organizations. We should continue using public meetings, workshops, surveys, community communication and other opportunities to gather input. Most importantly, transparency means accountability. I don’t expect every resident to agree with every decision the City Council makes. But they should be able to understand why we made the decision, see the information we considered, and know that their elected officials are willing to stand by their decisions.