Ben’s Platform

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. My plan advocates for a common sense, collaborative approach to finding innovative solutions that will allow us to thrive.”

-Ben Goodlund

Good Community

  • We must foster better community trust with local law enforcement and first responders through additional educational outreach opportunities and community building. We need to make sure that we provide a safe, welcoming atmosphere and law enforcement and first responders are critical to this vision.

  • I will advocate for a Specialized K-9 Policing Unit that can better equip the Hopkins Police Department, and harbor greater community outreach opportunities in our local schools, public safety open houses, and on calls. Obtaining this K-9 Unit would put us in line with neighboring cities. One of the many important duties that the K-9 Unit would perform, is to help prevent illegal substances from entering our city with the flow of rail to each of our three transit stations. We can accomplish this goal using the model of our surrounding communities such as Eden Prairie, who funded these special units through a 501 c 3 non-profit organization, tapping into the existing Crime Prevention Fund, and through other charitable contributions, ultimately sparing taxpayers from increased tax hikes.

  • Above all, with the arrival of Southwest Light Rail Transit in 2024, we need to be prepared for the changes our community will face. Safety of our residents, commuters, and transit employees is critical. Visitors having good experiences ensures repeated foot traffic for our local businesses.

  • Our mission is to create a more inclusive environment where all have a voice in city government. The council should reflect the abundant diversity of our community. Diverse community members should see people who look like them represented in their city government, that is not the case today. This call to action is a driver of civic engagement, which is a pillar of an involved community.

  • We should encourage investments in additional green space and pollinator friendly plants and flowers wherever possible within public spaces. In order to incentivize private citizens and local businesses to participate and commit to this goal, we could offer tax credits and other incentives to promote greater participation.

  • As our community expands, It’s crucial that we don’t lose our small-town charm. We should honor our small-town heritage and history through community gatherings, festivals, and events like the Raspberry Festival. As we continue to emerge from the pandemic, the need for people from all walks of life to come together has never been greater.

Good Economy

  • Hopkins residents currently pay some of the highest property taxes in the ENTIRE state of Minnesota!! In order to retain and attract local businesses and residents to Hopkins, we must ease the tax burdens for small businesses and individuals. 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. 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 at all.

  • The 2020 property tax increase was the largest property tax increase ever recorded in Hopkins history. It’s critical that The Council understand the economic needs of our people. In fact, the tax levy increases over the past several years have been substantial, and if continued, will have a negative impact on our long term growth and development.

    Previous Decade of Hopkins Tax Levy Increases:

  • 2015: +6.04%

  • 2016: +8.85%

  • 2017: +8.33%

  • 2018: +9.86%

  • 2019: +12.35%

  • 2020: +9.71%

  • 2021: +1.48%

  • 2022: +1.98%

  • 2023: +3.45%

  • 2024: +4.86%

  • The City Council’s current 2024 preliminary tax levy rate of +4.86% is nothing that our residents or city leadership should be celebrating! In fact, the way that these tax rates were lowered was by tapping into the city’s reserves and drain its funding to pay for all this new spending. This is not fiscally responsible decision-making because draining our city’s reserves makes us less financially secure for the future, is a one time “fix” at best, and does not address the overall spending problem of our Council. We need leadership on The Council that is not afraid to make tough spending decisions, and put the interest of our taxyapers at the forefront of decisions being made, with the overall goal of reducing the tax burdens for our business owners and all residents.

  • The City Council is directly accountable to the residents of Hopkins, and has an obligation to curb unnecessary and excessive spending. We cannot continue to tax and spend with no end in sight. Continuing to do so, makes us less financially secure for the future, and a less enticing place to do business.

  • Responsible debt management is crucial for our long-term growth and development as a city. If elected, I propose to a return to current wage levels for The City Council, and will not entertain salary increases until the tax burden is under control.

  • Local government must learn to live within its means by making thoughtful, prioritized spending decisions that benefit our residents and local businesses. It’s essential that the short and long-term policies of The Council reflect the diverse socio-economic needs of our residents so that we can adequately confront the obstacles that lie ahead.

  • Homeownership is a pillar of The American Dream for many. Affordable housing means obtainable housing that people can own, which then creates an ownership mentality that generates investment in the community. Homeownership needs to be obtainable for all income brackets. We should promote a variety of cost level housing developments that makes homeownership and upgrade available to all within our community. As a result, our city-wide income base will grow, without increasing taxes.

Good Decisions

  • We have an obligation to be independent and open minded in our thinking. This means listening to diverse perspectives and opinions, looking for practical compromise, and collaboration, and the understanding that while we may not agree on everything, ultimately we all are seeking what we believe is best for our community.

  • City Leadership needs to better reflect the people it serves. Hopkins is currently made up of over a 60% diverse ethnic population, yet this is not fully reflected in our elected officials. Furthermore, over 65% of our residents are renters, but are not at all being represented in city leadership. Their voices are equally important within our community, yet no one is authentically advocating their needs, since the entire City Council is made up of homeowners. Diversity of ethnicities, thought, and economic backgrounds all deserve equal representation in leadership within our community.

  • It’s imperative that we make principled , fiscally sound decisions that set Hopkins up for long-term sustainable growth and success. Failure to do so, makes us less financially secure for the future. This means that we prioritize our spending needs, reevaluate the role of local government and realize that it can’t and shouldn’t be all things to all people. By going back to the basics, we can refocus on the necessary duties such as waste management, snow removal, public works, and public safety to name a few, that are critical to the function of our city.

  • In order to reduce the tax burden to our residents and business community, and the responsibilities of local government, we must consider tapping into alternative resources available such as community partnerships and collaborations with local organizations such as The Hopkins Jaycees, Resource West, Hopkins ANA, The Hopkins Public Schools, The Raspberry Festival, Hopkins Historical Society, and the HBCA; as a better Hopkins is mutually beneficial for all.

  • Good Decisions are the bedrock of effective governance, and should reflect common sense, pragmatic solutions, and above all wise fiscal stewardship. As we strive to build a better Hopkins, it is essential that we prioritize responsible decision making, ensuring local government lives within its means, just as our residents do.

  • Wise Fiscal Stewardship must be at the center of good decision making. We have an obligation to the hard working residents of Hopkins to make sure that every dollar is allocated efficiently and effectively so that we maximize our return on investment. Excessive spending and unnecessary debt cripples our short and long-term growth and development.

Get in touch.

Want to learn more about my vision for Hopkins? Get in touch!

 

Serving as Acting-Chair on the Hopkins Planning & Zoning Commission!