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Sensible Leadership for Lakeville
Dan Wolter
For City Council
Support Dan's Campaign Today!
Limited Edition "Made in Minnesota" Deneen Pottery Mug when you join the Councilman's Club.
A Proven Leader
Experience Getting Things Done at Local, State Levels
20-plus Year Resident of Northern Dakota County
Experience in Business, Heathcare, Higher Education, Politics, and Government
Record of Service
Before joining the Lakeville City Council in January 2023, Dan Wolter was a member of the City's Finance Committee, chaired the "Cultivate a Sense of Community" Task Force, chaired the Burnsville Planning Commission, chaired the University of Minnesota Regent Candidate Advisory Council, and was appointed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty twice to serve on the Metropolitan Council.
What's this about a bulldog?
During Pan-O-Prog in 2023, I brought my two English Bulldogs, Lizzo and Drake, to the pet show at the old North Park (now Steve Michaud Park). People young and old came out of the crowd to say hello and meet the dogs. I had so many good discussions about Lakeville that day - discussions that started over a couple bulldogs.
And that got me to thinking about what is so unique about bulldogs. They're not the smartest or the most attractive dogs in the world. They're not the most athletic dogs you'll meet. In fact, they're often stubborn and harder to convince than you might expect. But they are the most loyal dogs you'll ever find, bustling with hidden personality. And there's never any question in your mind whether you are the center of their universe, because you always are.
And that's the kind of public servant I want to be for Lakeville (hopefully with a lower level of slobbering and fewer naps) - loyal, committed to the people of Lakeville, and stubbornly commited to our values of sensible government.
What is Dan saying on the Issues
"The best quality of life in America. That should not just be a talking point - it should be our unending aspiration for Lakeville. Like so many others, I chose this community because of its exceptional quality of life. And every day I am on the City Council, I will work to protect, preserve, and enhance it." -- Councilmember Dan Wolter
Sensible Growth
We have been the fastest growing city in Minnesota for 9 of the past 10 years. But with all progress come growing pains, whether it is traffic, the need for more services such as police, fire, and parks, or lost green space. I will work to ensure our growth is reasonable and responsible, protecting what we have. Development for development's sake is a recipe for disaster. I will continue to ask the tough questions to protect our unique quality of life.
A Safe Community
The top responsibility of government at all levels needs to be protecting people. In Lakeville, that means backing the blue and having the best police department in the state. It also means fire and EMS services that keep pace with our growth, which means transitioning from a volunteer fire department to hybrid, full-time department. As other parts of our state abandon those who protect our families, streets, and communities, I will always have their back.
Low Taxes
When Lakeville's families and businesses thrive, city government thrives. We need to maintain our low tax rates - one of the lowest levy rates in Dakota County - while ensuring our critical public safety and other needs are met. That is easier to do while we are growing and developing. We need to prepare for the day we are fully developed, ensuring our zoning and land use decisions will not result in big tax hikes for homeowners in the future.
The Best Schools
People move to Lakeville for a lot of reasons. The quality of our schools is always at the top of that list. As a City Council, we need to support our public and private schools and make sure their elected school boards have all the flexibility they need to thrive in a growing and safe community. We can continue to provide School Resource Officers for safe schools and work together with schools on recreational space and other common needs.
Parks and the Environment
In 2021, Lakeville residents approved a significant levy to expand our park system - and those parks are coming online. Whether it is trail connectivity, new forms of recreational opportunities, such as cricket, to support our diverse population, or simply working to keep green space in our neighborhoods, I am committed to protecting our natural environment for people to enjoy now and in the future.
The Arts
Lakeville is one of the premier communities in the south metro area when it comes to the arts. I have been so impressed with all we do to support artists in the performing arts, pottery, painting and so much more. From classes to inspire young people to pursue their artistic talents to space for artists to thrive, the arts make us a destination and also greatly enrich our quality of life. I will continue to support our arts programs, which have proven to be revenue drivers for our parks and recreation programs.
All Stages of Life
We all know Lakeville is an amazing place to raise kids and a magnet for young families. We need to maintain that. But we also need enhance opportunities for empty nesters and retirees, so when it is time to downsize, they are staying in Lakeville. That means more styles of housing aimed at keeping them here. It also means continued commitment to our Active Adults programs, Heritage Center, and our thriving community organizations such as the Lions, Rotary, and many more.
Lakeville Means Business
One of the most inspiring parts of being on the City Council is being able to join the Lakeville Area Chamber of Commerce to welcome new businesses and celebrate the anniversaries of existing businesses. We need to continue to be a destination for businesses large and small, from our thriving downtown to the industrial park with thousands of developable acres, to our office parks and retail sites. By keeping taxes low, the workforce strong, and city services reliable, Lakeville's businesses will continue to thrive.
Reliable City Services
Taxpayers expect - and deserve - reliable services from their city. Snowplowing the streets in winter and maintaing them year round, a water treatment and sewer system that works no matter the season, recycling resources, and street lights that keep our neighborhoods safe - are all important city services. I will work to continue them - and maintain them for the future - in the most affordable way possible.
A Place to Come Home To
Lakeville will alway be a single-family home community, where families have the chance to live as they choose, whether it is a well-groomed lawn or a three-car garage. We need to ensure developers are building quality housing stock that stands the test of time and not cutting corners. We need a diverse array of options, including townhomes, condominiums, co-ops, and more. We need to protect our naturally-occuring affordable housing. And, where appropriate and when done responsibily, we need to look at increased density to diversify the tax base for the good of homeowners.
A Sense of Community
In 2022, I had the chance to chair the "Cultivate a Sense of Community Task Force," where I learned so much about this city, its residents new and old, and the traditions that make us uniquely Lakeville. From Pan-P-Prog, which is unmatched in Minnesota as a local festival that brings a community together, to our dynamic faith community that welcomes people with open arms and helps those in need. As our community becomes more diverse, we need to embrace our cultural institutions and share them to welcome new residents and make sure that we never lose that small town feel.
Sensible Strong
From runaway violent crime in our major cities to a state tax burden that is one of the highest in the country, the people of Lakeville look for our city government to be an island of sensibility in a sea of government overreach. In Lakeville, we show that government can work in a fiscally responsible way that prioritizes both public safety and quality of life. We must continue to fight for our values of low taxes, less government, and more personal responsibility.