“I’ve known Ben for many years and know him to be a thoughtful leader for Hopkins. His experience as a community volunteer and member of the Planning and Zoning Committee make him an obvious choice to serve the people of Hopkins!”

-Luke Hellier

(Mayor of Lakeville -Current, Lakeville City Council Member -Former)

‘Goodlund to run for Hopkins City Council!’

This article was originally published in the August 9, 2023 Publication of the Hopkins Sun Sailor.

Lifelong Hopkins resident Ben Goodlund has announced his intention to run for Hopkins City Council this fall.

In a release, Goodlund said his platform is “Good Community, Good Economy, and Good Decisions.” 

“I feel that I’m able to uniquely reference our city’s rich heritage, while celebrating the evolution of our present-day community, with a focus towards future growth and development,” he said. “I believe that our city’s leadership needs to better reflect the people it serves. This can be accomplished through increased accountability, making wiser investments, and financial stewardship.”

Goodlund said he’s been engaged in many community organizations, currently serving as the vice chair of the Hopkins Planning and Zoning Commission. He’s on the Raspberry Festival Board of Directors, a member of the Hopkins Jaycees, and a volunteer at Resource West and the Hopkins Historical Society.

After graduating from Hopkins Public School, he attended the University of Minnesota where he majored in political science. 

He indicated one of his top concerns is the escalating burden of local taxes. 

“The current property tax rate in Hopkins is 3.45%. I don’t know a single resident whose home value has dropped over the past year,” he said. “This means that the 3.45% that you’re paying right now is already an increase over what you paid last year without raising tax rates.

“The tax levies over the past several years have been substantial, and if continued, will have a crippling effect on our long-term growth and development. In 2019, the tax levy was increased by a staggering 12.35%, which was followed by a 9.71% increase in 2020, another 1.48% increase in 2021, followed by a 1.98% increase in 2022, and our current 3.45% increase for this year. What’s even more astonishing, is that the City Council is currently discussing an 11.5% proposed tax levy increase for 2024. This trend is unsustainable and demands immediate attention.”

He said he would prioritize fiscal responsibility and advocate for transparent spending practices should he be elected. 

“I believe in building a strong community that fosters economic growth while making well-informed decisions that benefit us both now and in the future,” he said. “Responsible debt management is crucial for our long-term growth and development as a city.

To do that he would propose a return to current wage levels for City Council Members, and not entertain salary increases until the tax burden is under control. 

“I firmly believe that local government must live within its means and make thoughtful, prioritized spending decisions that benefit our residents and local businesses,” he said. “I will propose measures to reduce the tax burden on our community and ensure that any new spending is offset by tax cuts, easing the financial strain on taxpayers.”

For more information, visit www.good4hopkins.com