Mike Supina
Name: Mike Supina
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651-706-0061
Campaign Website: www.supina4eagan.com
Bluesky handle: @mikesupina.bsky.social
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/supina4eagan
Candidate Bio
I was born and raised on Staten Island, NY. Dad was a union electrician; mom stayed home with us kids. My brother, sister, and I were the first generation to attend college in my family. After graduating from MIT, I completed a Master of Architecture at UC Berkeley and then my wife and I moved to Minnesota after she found employment at 3M. Our family of five has resided in Eagan since 1993. My 30+ year career as an architect has encompassed healthcare, senior living, workforce housing, commercial buildings, and projects for the Army Corps of Engineers and Department of Veterans’ Affairs. As a LEED Accredited Professional, I have strived to incorporate sustainable design principles whenever possible. I served on the Eagan Sustainability and Advisory Planning Commissions and Dakota County Public Art and Planning Commissions before being elected to the Eagan City Council in 2020 on a platform of sustainability, inclusion/belonging, increased housing and transit options, economic development, and fiscal responsibility. My community engagement includes Rotary, my church, and several local nonprofits.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
What are your top three priorities if elected, and how might they be affected by growing uncertainty around state and federal funding?
Safe Streets: Reimagine county roads in Eagan to make them safer and more accessible to those who walk, cycle, and roll.
Life-Cycle Housing: Promote housing options to meet the needs of all generations so everyone from new homeowners to empty nesters can find a home in Eagan.
A Greener Future: Aggressively pursue the goals in Eagan’s Climate Action Plan and use every means to protect clean air, water, and soil.
By being among the most fiscally responsible cities in the state, with a diverse tax base and maintaining a healthy budget reserve, Eagan is less vulnerable to fluctuations in state and federal funding than other communities. That said, we need to ensure that that continues by evaluating new developments, especially commercial/industrial developments, with an eye towards how they can contribute to our municipal tax base while maintaining the character of our neighborhoods and the standard of living that our residents value so highly.
What is the biggest challenge facing Eagan right now, and where do you see the greatest opportunity?
Unquestionably the answer to this question is redevelopment. The commercial real estate environment has changed far more rapidly and drastically since 2020 than we or any other city had anticipated. With those changes came potential impacts to Eagan’s commercial tax base. But those changes also represent opportunities for redevelopment that will propel Eagan’s employers into new ways of working. Eagan’s city staff worked tirelessly to keep Thomson Reuters in Eagan after they announced the closure of their former headquarters complex. And now their previous campus is undergoing redevelopment in a way that will attract the next generation of jobs to Eagan, accompanied by increased commercial property tax revenue. We’ve drafted a vision plan for the former Delta and Unisys sites near Eagan Central Park which has now begun to take form. And we’ve worked with potential developers for the former Blue Cross/Blue Shield headquarters site and I am optimistic that a new use will come along that will optimize the best attributes of that location. Employers, workers, and residents want to be in Eagan; we can facilitate that through redevelopment and in the long run it will benefit everyone.
How would you characterize the business climate in Eagan, and what role should city government play in partnering with the business community to attract jobs, develop the workforce, and address shared challenges?
The best strategy for attracting new businesses, and retaining existing ones, is identical to attracting and retaining residents - remain ahead of the curve with regard to housing and transit options, public safety, sustainability, equity and inclusion, and community amenities. Eagan conducts a business survey every two years and the results consistently show a high level of satisfaction with the business climate in Eagan
What do you view as the most pressing public safety challenges in your community, and how would you address them?
The first step in understanding public safety challenges is to learn about them in-depth. I am a graduate of the Eagan Police Department Citizen’s Academy which is an eight-week program which teaches about the many aspects and challenges of police work. As a council member I have maintained a line of communication with our police chief to learn about new challenges and issues as they arise. The Eagan Police Department has also initiated an ongoing Community Affairs Group to help them solicit input and gauge public attitudes about local police-related issues.
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?
Since the model for most housing development in the US is private development which does not necessarily account for the needs of the local community but rather treats the home as a commodity, providing more affordable housing is an issue that requires a comprehensive solution from a higher level of government than municipalities like Eagan. Nevertheless, there are policies that cities can adopt to encourage more affordable housing. Those include:
I do not view rent control as a viable way to effect affordable rents in the private housing market.
How would you improve transportation infrastructure and safety for drivers, transit riders, cyclists, and pedestrians in your community?
As Eagan has grown into a nearly fully developed community, it is clear that the function of the county roads that criss-cross our city must adapt. Access to homes, businesses, and places of worship occur directly from county roads. Children cross them, often unaccompanied, to access parks and schools. County roads can no longer be mini-freeways designed to convey the largest volume of traffic at the highest practical speed. I would like to see more collaboration between Eagan and Dakota County to reimagine and, in some instances, redesign county roads throughout Eagan.
Beyond county roads, Eagan has been building new trails, roundabouts, and enhanced crosswalks to help pedestrians and cyclists navigate our streets more safely and I’d like to see that continue.
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?
This is a timely question as the city council has just conducted its first review of the upcoming property tax levy. I am happy to say that the projected increase is significantly less than it has been for a number of years. But it is still an increase. In order to keep it at a reasonable level, we did not add any new staff positions and indeed adjusted how the city uses certain dedicated funds. In the next year or two we expect increased commercial/industrial property tax revenue from redevelopment to help even out the year-to-year changes in our residential property tax levy.
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?
Sustainability: I campaigned on this issue when I was first elected to the city council in 2020. And although sustainability was on the council’s radar prior to then, I and others sensed a reluctance to address the issue head-on as it has been tagged as a “political” issue. What I learned is that when a candidate clearly articulates their priorities and those priorities resonate with voters, that can act as a catalyst for progress. After I was elected on a campaign of sustainability, the council rapidly adopted a mechanism for financing a sustainability coordinator and then drafted and adopted a Climate Action Plan. This is an example of why elections matter.
Diversity/Inclusion: No one knows a community better than its own residents and that is where elected leaders should always look first when seeking solutions for how to involve everyone in the decision-making process, especially those who have been historically excluded.
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, taxpayer transparency means to disclose publicly and as early as possible what the projected tax levy will be for the upcoming year. Eagan does that now; we just had our first look at the 2027 levy at our August 10, 2026 special city council meeting. Taking that a step further, the city could post a link on its social media to the preliminary levy information so that the public has a more direct route to the information prior to the levy being adopted by council.
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651-706-0061
Campaign Website: www.supina4eagan.com
Bluesky handle: @mikesupina.bsky.social
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/supina4eagan
Candidate Bio
I was born and raised on Staten Island, NY. Dad was a union electrician; mom stayed home with us kids. My brother, sister, and I were the first generation to attend college in my family. After graduating from MIT, I completed a Master of Architecture at UC Berkeley and then my wife and I moved to Minnesota after she found employment at 3M. Our family of five has resided in Eagan since 1993. My 30+ year career as an architect has encompassed healthcare, senior living, workforce housing, commercial buildings, and projects for the Army Corps of Engineers and Department of Veterans’ Affairs. As a LEED Accredited Professional, I have strived to incorporate sustainable design principles whenever possible. I served on the Eagan Sustainability and Advisory Planning Commissions and Dakota County Public Art and Planning Commissions before being elected to the Eagan City Council in 2020 on a platform of sustainability, inclusion/belonging, increased housing and transit options, economic development, and fiscal responsibility. My community engagement includes Rotary, my church, and several local nonprofits.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
- Work collaboratively
- Set an example of service
- Respond promptly to resident concerns
- Continuous learning
- Play the long game understanding that good things take time and patience
- Engage with nonprofits, service clubs like Rotary, DCR Chamber, and LMC
- Always show up (100% attendance at council meetings since January 2021)
What are your top three priorities if elected, and how might they be affected by growing uncertainty around state and federal funding?
Safe Streets: Reimagine county roads in Eagan to make them safer and more accessible to those who walk, cycle, and roll.
Life-Cycle Housing: Promote housing options to meet the needs of all generations so everyone from new homeowners to empty nesters can find a home in Eagan.
A Greener Future: Aggressively pursue the goals in Eagan’s Climate Action Plan and use every means to protect clean air, water, and soil.
By being among the most fiscally responsible cities in the state, with a diverse tax base and maintaining a healthy budget reserve, Eagan is less vulnerable to fluctuations in state and federal funding than other communities. That said, we need to ensure that that continues by evaluating new developments, especially commercial/industrial developments, with an eye towards how they can contribute to our municipal tax base while maintaining the character of our neighborhoods and the standard of living that our residents value so highly.
What is the biggest challenge facing Eagan right now, and where do you see the greatest opportunity?
Unquestionably the answer to this question is redevelopment. The commercial real estate environment has changed far more rapidly and drastically since 2020 than we or any other city had anticipated. With those changes came potential impacts to Eagan’s commercial tax base. But those changes also represent opportunities for redevelopment that will propel Eagan’s employers into new ways of working. Eagan’s city staff worked tirelessly to keep Thomson Reuters in Eagan after they announced the closure of their former headquarters complex. And now their previous campus is undergoing redevelopment in a way that will attract the next generation of jobs to Eagan, accompanied by increased commercial property tax revenue. We’ve drafted a vision plan for the former Delta and Unisys sites near Eagan Central Park which has now begun to take form. And we’ve worked with potential developers for the former Blue Cross/Blue Shield headquarters site and I am optimistic that a new use will come along that will optimize the best attributes of that location. Employers, workers, and residents want to be in Eagan; we can facilitate that through redevelopment and in the long run it will benefit everyone.
How would you characterize the business climate in Eagan, and what role should city government play in partnering with the business community to attract jobs, develop the workforce, and address shared challenges?
The best strategy for attracting new businesses, and retaining existing ones, is identical to attracting and retaining residents - remain ahead of the curve with regard to housing and transit options, public safety, sustainability, equity and inclusion, and community amenities. Eagan conducts a business survey every two years and the results consistently show a high level of satisfaction with the business climate in Eagan
What do you view as the most pressing public safety challenges in your community, and how would you address them?
The first step in understanding public safety challenges is to learn about them in-depth. I am a graduate of the Eagan Police Department Citizen’s Academy which is an eight-week program which teaches about the many aspects and challenges of police work. As a council member I have maintained a line of communication with our police chief to learn about new challenges and issues as they arise. The Eagan Police Department has also initiated an ongoing Community Affairs Group to help them solicit input and gauge public attitudes about local police-related issues.
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?
Since the model for most housing development in the US is private development which does not necessarily account for the needs of the local community but rather treats the home as a commodity, providing more affordable housing is an issue that requires a comprehensive solution from a higher level of government than municipalities like Eagan. Nevertheless, there are policies that cities can adopt to encourage more affordable housing. Those include:
- Find creative ways to accommodate pockets of greater residential density that fit into the existing fabric of the city, especially in the city’s designated Special Areas. Eagan is currently working on its 2050 Comprehensive Plan which will address this exact issue – residents can learn more and provide your input on the city’s website.
- Maintain our city’s Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAH) which typically occurs in older neighborhoods. Eagan and Dakota County both offer programs for home improvement for which many of our residents and homeowner associations are eligible.
- The City of Eagan does not itself develop affordable housing but we collaborate closely with Dakota County in their efforts to do so. The Dakota County Community Development Agency (CDA) has been a reliable partner in developing affordable multi-family and senior apartments in Eagan. That collaboration can also extend to other nonprofit developers, a recent example being MACV.
- Eagan has also implemented a rental licensing ordinance to ensure that rental housing in Eagan is safe and code compliant.
I do not view rent control as a viable way to effect affordable rents in the private housing market.
How would you improve transportation infrastructure and safety for drivers, transit riders, cyclists, and pedestrians in your community?
As Eagan has grown into a nearly fully developed community, it is clear that the function of the county roads that criss-cross our city must adapt. Access to homes, businesses, and places of worship occur directly from county roads. Children cross them, often unaccompanied, to access parks and schools. County roads can no longer be mini-freeways designed to convey the largest volume of traffic at the highest practical speed. I would like to see more collaboration between Eagan and Dakota County to reimagine and, in some instances, redesign county roads throughout Eagan.
Beyond county roads, Eagan has been building new trails, roundabouts, and enhanced crosswalks to help pedestrians and cyclists navigate our streets more safely and I’d like to see that continue.
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?
This is a timely question as the city council has just conducted its first review of the upcoming property tax levy. I am happy to say that the projected increase is significantly less than it has been for a number of years. But it is still an increase. In order to keep it at a reasonable level, we did not add any new staff positions and indeed adjusted how the city uses certain dedicated funds. In the next year or two we expect increased commercial/industrial property tax revenue from redevelopment to help even out the year-to-year changes in our residential property tax levy.
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?
Sustainability: I campaigned on this issue when I was first elected to the city council in 2020. And although sustainability was on the council’s radar prior to then, I and others sensed a reluctance to address the issue head-on as it has been tagged as a “political” issue. What I learned is that when a candidate clearly articulates their priorities and those priorities resonate with voters, that can act as a catalyst for progress. After I was elected on a campaign of sustainability, the council rapidly adopted a mechanism for financing a sustainability coordinator and then drafted and adopted a Climate Action Plan. This is an example of why elections matter.
Diversity/Inclusion: No one knows a community better than its own residents and that is where elected leaders should always look first when seeking solutions for how to involve everyone in the decision-making process, especially those who have been historically excluded.
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, taxpayer transparency means to disclose publicly and as early as possible what the projected tax levy will be for the upcoming year. Eagan does that now; we just had our first look at the 2027 levy at our August 10, 2026 special city council meeting. Taking that a step further, the city could post a link on its social media to the preliminary levy information so that the public has a more direct route to the information prior to the levy being adopted by council.