Vince Workman
Name: Vince Workman
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 952-894-8409
Campaign Website: https://www.facebook.com/VinceForBurnsville/
Twitter handle:
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/VinceForBurnsville/
Candidate Bio
I am a lifelong Burnsville resident, Burnsville High School graduate, husband, father of four, small business owner, and current Burnsville City Council member. I was first elected to the City Council in 2018 after serving on the Burnsville Planning Commission, where I gained valuable experience in land use, redevelopment, and local government decision-making.
Professionally, I own and operate Workman Insurance Agency, an independent insurance agency that serves individuals, families, and businesses throughout the Twin Cities. As a small business owner, I understand the importance of fiscal responsibility, long-term planning, customer service, and making thoughtful decisions that balance competing priorities.
During my time on the City Council, I have worked to support public safety, strengthen our local economy, invest in critical infrastructure, and maintain Burnsville's strong financial position, including our AAA bond rating. I have been involved in major community initiatives, facility planning, redevelopment efforts, and long-range planning that will shape Burnsville's future for decades to come.
Beyond my professional and elected service, I remain active in the community through youth sports, Burnsville Athletic Club programs, local schools, and volunteer activities. I am committed to keeping Burnsville a safe, welcoming, and thriving community for residents, businesses, and future generations.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
I bring a practical, collaborative, and solutions-oriented leadership style. I believe local government works best when elected officials focus on facts, listen to residents, respect differing viewpoints, and work together to solve problems. My approach is to be accessible, ask questions, gather information, and make decisions based on what is best for Burnsville in the long term rather than on political ideology or short-term pressures.
As a City Council member, I have worked to build relationships across the community, support our staff and public safety professionals, and maintain a respectful and productive working environment. I understand that not every issue has a perfect solution, but I believe residents expect their leaders to be thoughtful, transparent, fiscally responsible, and willing to do the hard work necessary to move the community forward.
My goal is to continue providing steady, common-sense leadership that keeps Burnsville a safe, financially strong, and welcoming community for everyone.
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 are maintaining strong public safety services, investing in critical infrastructure and city facilities, and preserving Burnsville's long-term financial stability.
First, we must continue supporting our police, fire, and emergency services to ensure residents receive the high level of service they expect. Second, we need to successfully complete major projects, including our Police Department, City Hall, Fire Station 2, and Maintenance Facility improvements, while planning responsibly for future community needs. Third, we must continue promoting economic development, maintaining our AAA bond rating, and managing taxpayer dollars responsibly.
Growing uncertainty around state and federal funding makes these priorities even more important. Local governments are increasingly being asked to do more with limited resources, requiring careful budgeting, long-term planning, and thoughtful prioritization. If outside funding becomes less predictable, we will need to focus on core services, evaluate spending carefully, pursue grant opportunities when available, and ensure that every taxpayer dollar is used effectively. My goal will be to keep Burnsville financially strong while continuing to provide the services and investments residents depend on.
What is the biggest challenge facing Burnsville right now, and where do you see the greatest opportunity?
One of the biggest challenges facing Burnsville is balancing the growing demands on local government with the financial realities facing residents and businesses. Expectations for public safety, infrastructure, housing, parks, and community services continue to grow, while costs, labor shortages, and uncertainty around state and federal funding create additional pressure. Meeting those expectations while remaining fiscally responsible will require thoughtful planning and disciplined decision-making.
At the same time, I believe Burnsville's greatest opportunity is its future growth and redevelopment potential. Our location, transportation access, strong public safety services, excellent parks, and diverse housing options position us well for continued investment. Areas such as the Heart of the City, the Highway 13 corridor, and other redevelopment sites provide opportunities to attract new businesses, create housing options, strengthen our tax base, and enhance quality of life for residents.
If we continue to plan strategically and invest wisely, Burnsville is well-positioned to remain one of the premier communities in the Twin Cities for generations to come.
How would you characterize the business climate in Burnsville, and what role should city government play in partnering with the business community to attract jobs, develop the workforce, and address shared challenges?
Burnsville has a strong and diverse business community that includes small businesses, regional employers, healthcare providers, manufacturers, retailers, and entrepreneurs. While businesses continue to face challenges such as workforce shortages, rising costs, and economic uncertainty, Burnsville remains well-positioned due to its location, transportation access, skilled workforce, and quality of life.
City government should view businesses as partners in building a strong community. Our role is to create an environment where businesses can succeed by providing reliable infrastructure, maintaining public safety, supporting workforce development initiatives, and ensuring that city processes are responsive and predictable. We should actively engage with business owners, listen to their concerns, and work collaboratively to address shared challenges.
Attracting jobs and investment requires a long-term commitment to economic development, redevelopment opportunities, and strong partnerships with schools, Dakota County, local employers, and community organizations. A healthy business community expands our tax base, creates employment opportunities, and helps fund the services residents depend on. By fostering a business-friendly environment while maintaining the high quality of life residents expect, Burnsville can continue to grow and thrive for years to come.
What do you view as the most pressing public safety challenges in your community, and how would you address them?
Public safety remains one of the most important responsibilities of local government. In Burnsville, some of the most pressing challenges include recruiting and retaining police officers, firefighters, and other public safety personnel, addressing mental health and substance abuse issues that often contribute to emergency calls, and maintaining the resources necessary to respond effectively to a growing and changing community.
To address these challenges, we must continue investing in our public safety professionals by providing competitive compensation, modern facilities, quality training, and the tools they need to serve residents safely and effectively. We must also strengthen partnerships with schools, community organizations, Dakota County, and healthcare providers to address issues before they become public safety emergencies.
At the same time, we need to remain focused on prevention, community engagement, and building trust between residents and public safety agencies. Public safety is most effective when it combines strong emergency response with proactive efforts that improve quality of life and address challenges at their source. My goal is to ensure Burnsville remains a safe community where residents, businesses, and visitors feel secure and supported.
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?
Housing affordability is a challenge facing communities across the region, and Burnsville is no exception. I believe the best way to improve affordability is to increase housing supply and provide a variety of housing options that meet the needs of residents at different stages of life. This includes supporting thoughtful redevelopment, encouraging a mix of housing types, and creating opportunities for young families, workforce housing, and seniors who wish to remain in the community.
The City's role is to ensure that development is well-planned, compatible with surrounding neighborhoods, and supported by the infrastructure and services necessary for long-term success. We should continue working with developers, residents, employers, and regional partners to identify opportunities that expand housing choices while preserving the character of our community.
I do not support rent control policies as the primary solution to housing affordability challenges. While well-intentioned, rent control can discourage investment, reduce housing production, and limit the development of new rental units. I believe a more effective long-term approach is increasing housing supply, encouraging responsible development, and addressing the underlying factors that contribute to rising housing costs.
How would you improve transportation infrastructure and safety for drivers, transit riders, cyclists, and pedestrians in your community?
Transportation infrastructure plays a critical role in the safety, mobility, and quality of life of our residents. My approach is to focus on maintaining and improving the infrastructure we already have while making strategic investments that enhance safety for everyone who uses our transportation system.
For drivers, that means continuing to invest in road maintenance, intersection improvements, and traffic management. For pedestrians and cyclists, we should prioritize safe crossings, trail connections, sidewalk improvements, and projects that improve accessibility and connectivity throughout the community. For transit riders, we should continue working with regional partners to maintain reliable service and ensure residents can access jobs, schools, healthcare, and other destinations.
As Burnsville grows and redevelops, transportation planning must remain a key consideration in every major project. We should use data, community feedback, and long-term planning to identify safety concerns and prioritize improvements where they will have the greatest impact. My goal is to support a transportation system that is safe, efficient, and accessible for residents of all ages and abilities while remaining fiscally 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?
As both a homeowner and a small business owner, I understand the pressure that rising property taxes place on families, seniors, and businesses. When setting the city levy, my approach is to balance the need for high-quality services with the responsibility to be a careful steward of taxpayer dollars.
The first step is ensuring that city resources are focused on core services and community priorities. We must continually evaluate spending, look for operational efficiencies, and make long-term decisions that protect the City's financial health. At the same time, we cannot ignore critical investments in public safety, infrastructure, and facilities that, if deferred, often become more costly in the future.
Burnsville's strong financial management and AAA bond rating have allowed us to provide excellent services while maintaining long-term stability. As costs continue to rise, I believe the City must remain transparent about budget decisions, prioritize needs over wants, and seek opportunities to grow our tax base through economic development and redevelopment. A broader tax base helps reduce pressure on existing property taxpayers while supporting the services residents expect.
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?
I believe city government is best positioned to lead on public safety, local infrastructure, and land use planning because these are issues that directly affect residents' daily lives and require local knowledge, responsiveness, and accountability.
Public safety is a core responsibility of municipal government. Cities are responsible for providing police, fire, and emergency services, and local leaders are best positioned to understand community needs and allocate resources accordingly.
Infrastructure is another area where city leadership is essential. Decisions about roads, water systems, parks, trails, and public facilities are most effective when made by those who live and work in the community and understand local priorities.
Finally, local government must retain the ability to guide land use, redevelopment, and housing decisions. While the state has an important role in addressing regional housing challenges, local elected officials are best positioned to balance housing needs, infrastructure capacity, neighborhood character, and economic development goals. I believe maintaining local control over zoning and land-use decisions is critical to ensuring growth occurs in a way that reflects the unique needs and priorities of Burnsville residents.
While partnerships with county, regional, and state governments are important, local government is often closest to the people it serves. That proximity allows cities to respond quickly, engage residents directly, and make decisions that reflect the community's values and priorities.
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?
Real taxpayer transparency means providing residents with clear, accurate, and accessible information about how decisions are made, how taxpayer dollars are spent, and what results those investments are producing. Transparency should go beyond simply making information available—it should make that information understandable and meaningful to the average resident.
From a financial perspective, I support clear budget presentations, easy-to-understand financial reports, and regular communication about major projects, expenditures, and long-term financial obligations. Residents should be able to see where their tax dollars are going and understand the rationale behind major spending decisions.
Transparency also requires meaningful public engagement. That means providing opportunities for residents to ask questions, offer feedback, and participate in discussions before important decisions are made. It also means being accessible outside of council meetings, responding to constituent concerns, and communicating through a variety of channels to reach as many residents as possible.
As a council member, I have consistently supported open communication and public engagement. My goal is to continue building trust by ensuring residents have the information they need to understand city decisions and confidence that their voices are being heard throughout the process.
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 952-894-8409
Campaign Website: https://www.facebook.com/VinceForBurnsville/
Twitter handle:
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/VinceForBurnsville/
Candidate Bio
I am a lifelong Burnsville resident, Burnsville High School graduate, husband, father of four, small business owner, and current Burnsville City Council member. I was first elected to the City Council in 2018 after serving on the Burnsville Planning Commission, where I gained valuable experience in land use, redevelopment, and local government decision-making.
Professionally, I own and operate Workman Insurance Agency, an independent insurance agency that serves individuals, families, and businesses throughout the Twin Cities. As a small business owner, I understand the importance of fiscal responsibility, long-term planning, customer service, and making thoughtful decisions that balance competing priorities.
During my time on the City Council, I have worked to support public safety, strengthen our local economy, invest in critical infrastructure, and maintain Burnsville's strong financial position, including our AAA bond rating. I have been involved in major community initiatives, facility planning, redevelopment efforts, and long-range planning that will shape Burnsville's future for decades to come.
Beyond my professional and elected service, I remain active in the community through youth sports, Burnsville Athletic Club programs, local schools, and volunteer activities. I am committed to keeping Burnsville a safe, welcoming, and thriving community for residents, businesses, and future generations.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
I bring a practical, collaborative, and solutions-oriented leadership style. I believe local government works best when elected officials focus on facts, listen to residents, respect differing viewpoints, and work together to solve problems. My approach is to be accessible, ask questions, gather information, and make decisions based on what is best for Burnsville in the long term rather than on political ideology or short-term pressures.
As a City Council member, I have worked to build relationships across the community, support our staff and public safety professionals, and maintain a respectful and productive working environment. I understand that not every issue has a perfect solution, but I believe residents expect their leaders to be thoughtful, transparent, fiscally responsible, and willing to do the hard work necessary to move the community forward.
My goal is to continue providing steady, common-sense leadership that keeps Burnsville a safe, financially strong, and welcoming community for everyone.
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 are maintaining strong public safety services, investing in critical infrastructure and city facilities, and preserving Burnsville's long-term financial stability.
First, we must continue supporting our police, fire, and emergency services to ensure residents receive the high level of service they expect. Second, we need to successfully complete major projects, including our Police Department, City Hall, Fire Station 2, and Maintenance Facility improvements, while planning responsibly for future community needs. Third, we must continue promoting economic development, maintaining our AAA bond rating, and managing taxpayer dollars responsibly.
Growing uncertainty around state and federal funding makes these priorities even more important. Local governments are increasingly being asked to do more with limited resources, requiring careful budgeting, long-term planning, and thoughtful prioritization. If outside funding becomes less predictable, we will need to focus on core services, evaluate spending carefully, pursue grant opportunities when available, and ensure that every taxpayer dollar is used effectively. My goal will be to keep Burnsville financially strong while continuing to provide the services and investments residents depend on.
What is the biggest challenge facing Burnsville right now, and where do you see the greatest opportunity?
One of the biggest challenges facing Burnsville is balancing the growing demands on local government with the financial realities facing residents and businesses. Expectations for public safety, infrastructure, housing, parks, and community services continue to grow, while costs, labor shortages, and uncertainty around state and federal funding create additional pressure. Meeting those expectations while remaining fiscally responsible will require thoughtful planning and disciplined decision-making.
At the same time, I believe Burnsville's greatest opportunity is its future growth and redevelopment potential. Our location, transportation access, strong public safety services, excellent parks, and diverse housing options position us well for continued investment. Areas such as the Heart of the City, the Highway 13 corridor, and other redevelopment sites provide opportunities to attract new businesses, create housing options, strengthen our tax base, and enhance quality of life for residents.
If we continue to plan strategically and invest wisely, Burnsville is well-positioned to remain one of the premier communities in the Twin Cities for generations to come.
How would you characterize the business climate in Burnsville, and what role should city government play in partnering with the business community to attract jobs, develop the workforce, and address shared challenges?
Burnsville has a strong and diverse business community that includes small businesses, regional employers, healthcare providers, manufacturers, retailers, and entrepreneurs. While businesses continue to face challenges such as workforce shortages, rising costs, and economic uncertainty, Burnsville remains well-positioned due to its location, transportation access, skilled workforce, and quality of life.
City government should view businesses as partners in building a strong community. Our role is to create an environment where businesses can succeed by providing reliable infrastructure, maintaining public safety, supporting workforce development initiatives, and ensuring that city processes are responsive and predictable. We should actively engage with business owners, listen to their concerns, and work collaboratively to address shared challenges.
Attracting jobs and investment requires a long-term commitment to economic development, redevelopment opportunities, and strong partnerships with schools, Dakota County, local employers, and community organizations. A healthy business community expands our tax base, creates employment opportunities, and helps fund the services residents depend on. By fostering a business-friendly environment while maintaining the high quality of life residents expect, Burnsville can continue to grow and thrive for years to come.
What do you view as the most pressing public safety challenges in your community, and how would you address them?
Public safety remains one of the most important responsibilities of local government. In Burnsville, some of the most pressing challenges include recruiting and retaining police officers, firefighters, and other public safety personnel, addressing mental health and substance abuse issues that often contribute to emergency calls, and maintaining the resources necessary to respond effectively to a growing and changing community.
To address these challenges, we must continue investing in our public safety professionals by providing competitive compensation, modern facilities, quality training, and the tools they need to serve residents safely and effectively. We must also strengthen partnerships with schools, community organizations, Dakota County, and healthcare providers to address issues before they become public safety emergencies.
At the same time, we need to remain focused on prevention, community engagement, and building trust between residents and public safety agencies. Public safety is most effective when it combines strong emergency response with proactive efforts that improve quality of life and address challenges at their source. My goal is to ensure Burnsville remains a safe community where residents, businesses, and visitors feel secure and supported.
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?
Housing affordability is a challenge facing communities across the region, and Burnsville is no exception. I believe the best way to improve affordability is to increase housing supply and provide a variety of housing options that meet the needs of residents at different stages of life. This includes supporting thoughtful redevelopment, encouraging a mix of housing types, and creating opportunities for young families, workforce housing, and seniors who wish to remain in the community.
The City's role is to ensure that development is well-planned, compatible with surrounding neighborhoods, and supported by the infrastructure and services necessary for long-term success. We should continue working with developers, residents, employers, and regional partners to identify opportunities that expand housing choices while preserving the character of our community.
I do not support rent control policies as the primary solution to housing affordability challenges. While well-intentioned, rent control can discourage investment, reduce housing production, and limit the development of new rental units. I believe a more effective long-term approach is increasing housing supply, encouraging responsible development, and addressing the underlying factors that contribute to rising housing costs.
How would you improve transportation infrastructure and safety for drivers, transit riders, cyclists, and pedestrians in your community?
Transportation infrastructure plays a critical role in the safety, mobility, and quality of life of our residents. My approach is to focus on maintaining and improving the infrastructure we already have while making strategic investments that enhance safety for everyone who uses our transportation system.
For drivers, that means continuing to invest in road maintenance, intersection improvements, and traffic management. For pedestrians and cyclists, we should prioritize safe crossings, trail connections, sidewalk improvements, and projects that improve accessibility and connectivity throughout the community. For transit riders, we should continue working with regional partners to maintain reliable service and ensure residents can access jobs, schools, healthcare, and other destinations.
As Burnsville grows and redevelops, transportation planning must remain a key consideration in every major project. We should use data, community feedback, and long-term planning to identify safety concerns and prioritize improvements where they will have the greatest impact. My goal is to support a transportation system that is safe, efficient, and accessible for residents of all ages and abilities while remaining fiscally 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?
As both a homeowner and a small business owner, I understand the pressure that rising property taxes place on families, seniors, and businesses. When setting the city levy, my approach is to balance the need for high-quality services with the responsibility to be a careful steward of taxpayer dollars.
The first step is ensuring that city resources are focused on core services and community priorities. We must continually evaluate spending, look for operational efficiencies, and make long-term decisions that protect the City's financial health. At the same time, we cannot ignore critical investments in public safety, infrastructure, and facilities that, if deferred, often become more costly in the future.
Burnsville's strong financial management and AAA bond rating have allowed us to provide excellent services while maintaining long-term stability. As costs continue to rise, I believe the City must remain transparent about budget decisions, prioritize needs over wants, and seek opportunities to grow our tax base through economic development and redevelopment. A broader tax base helps reduce pressure on existing property taxpayers while supporting the services residents expect.
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?
I believe city government is best positioned to lead on public safety, local infrastructure, and land use planning because these are issues that directly affect residents' daily lives and require local knowledge, responsiveness, and accountability.
Public safety is a core responsibility of municipal government. Cities are responsible for providing police, fire, and emergency services, and local leaders are best positioned to understand community needs and allocate resources accordingly.
Infrastructure is another area where city leadership is essential. Decisions about roads, water systems, parks, trails, and public facilities are most effective when made by those who live and work in the community and understand local priorities.
Finally, local government must retain the ability to guide land use, redevelopment, and housing decisions. While the state has an important role in addressing regional housing challenges, local elected officials are best positioned to balance housing needs, infrastructure capacity, neighborhood character, and economic development goals. I believe maintaining local control over zoning and land-use decisions is critical to ensuring growth occurs in a way that reflects the unique needs and priorities of Burnsville residents.
While partnerships with county, regional, and state governments are important, local government is often closest to the people it serves. That proximity allows cities to respond quickly, engage residents directly, and make decisions that reflect the community's values and priorities.
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?
Real taxpayer transparency means providing residents with clear, accurate, and accessible information about how decisions are made, how taxpayer dollars are spent, and what results those investments are producing. Transparency should go beyond simply making information available—it should make that information understandable and meaningful to the average resident.
From a financial perspective, I support clear budget presentations, easy-to-understand financial reports, and regular communication about major projects, expenditures, and long-term financial obligations. Residents should be able to see where their tax dollars are going and understand the rationale behind major spending decisions.
Transparency also requires meaningful public engagement. That means providing opportunities for residents to ask questions, offer feedback, and participate in discussions before important decisions are made. It also means being accessible outside of council meetings, responding to constituent concerns, and communicating through a variety of channels to reach as many residents as possible.
As a council member, I have consistently supported open communication and public engagement. My goal is to continue building trust by ensuring residents have the information they need to understand city decisions and confidence that their voices are being heard throughout the process.