"Where Olmsted County News Comes First"

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Do you think the use of all fireworks should be legal in the state of Minnesota for all consumers?

 Yes, everyone should be able to use them

 No, only those with permits to do so


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Paul Wilson (Incumbent) - Elected in special election 1994; lifelong florist, graduate of Winona State University, FTD Master designer, married 39 years with grown children and grandchildren, past chair of county board 3 terms, past chair of State Community Health Services Advisory Council, past President of the Association of Minnesota Counties, current director on the National Association of Counties, member of Rochester Host Lions Club and St. Francis Church.

Gregg Wright - I moved to Rochester in 1972 and taught at Mayo High School until 1980. I have worked at Rochester Community and Technical College and the former Vo-Tech since 1980.  In that capacity I have worked with community groups dealing with employment issues and re-integration of veterans.  I learned a great deal about issues challenging public health and social work when I completed an internship with county social services in 1996.  Serving as faculty president for fourteen years, I learned that holding an office is about service and communication.  These experiences have allowed me the opportunities to prepare myself for the role of county commissioner.  

I am married and have two daughters, one in college and one in high school.

Wilson - I am seeking re-election to build on the strong foundation I have helped to create during my tenure on the board. We are a growing economy and must provide appropriate investment in partnership with the private sector. My leadership in the Association of Minnesota Counties, the National Association of Counties, and public health have a provided our county the contacts and connections essential to secure and grow our future. We are at a crossroads and have 10 years or more of government cut backs. The easy choices have been made, the future we will determine. True leadership will occur at the local level, state and federal governments are adrift, I have been tested and can make the crucial decisions.

Wright - I am seeking office because Olmsted County is my home and I believe that I have the ability and energy to work with the people of the county to create an environment for economic growth and opportunity and to find solutions to the challenges that our county faces. Olmsted County has the potential to be the first among Minnesota counties for quality of life, business opportunity and job creation. I look forward to working with all local government agencies and community groups to make that happen. I am very proud that I have lived in Olmsted County since 1972. I am seeking office because I have new ideas, a fresh perspective, a respect for our citizens, and because I believe that I can make a positive difference in building the future.

How do you feel the county board has done in setting property taxes? What can be done to keep them at a reasonable level?

Wilson - With the tool of a ranking system, the county has made very appropriate levy decision over the past years, last year we adopted a 0 per cent increase this year our maximum is 2.75 per cent, the final to be determined. Our Managing for results imitative has been key for the board to make sound fiscal decisions. We need to secure passage of the MAGIC Act to give counties the tools to operate in the new norm. Out interaction with associations is key to effectively lobby lawmakers to provide them with education and direction their decisions, after all our role is clearly spelled out as we are an arm of the state.

Wright - I believe the county board needs to start with the premise that property taxes are high enough and that we must look for other ways to fund the county’s budget. Budgets can be reduced by establishing cooperation with city, township and public school agencies. Consolidation of similar city and county departments can also create efficiencies that will save the county money. Budgets can also be reduced by developing efficiencies in the workplace. It is also important that Olmsted and other counties work with state government to allow Olmsted the flexibility to try creative and inventive solutions in managing the mandates that are received from the state and to look at reforming the tax structure that has a negative effect on property taxes.

What opportunities for working with different levels of government do you feel the county has?

Wilson - I helped initiate two successful summits over the past ten years which were valuable in connecting our local cities and townships, one focused on relationships among governmental officials and the second on our challenges to the age wave. Where we can identify common needs with an understanding of our missions will be key to future joint initiatives. I feel we will need to conduct a future summit focusing on governance and possibilities for change.

Wright - There are many areas that can be tapped for improvement. Only one area of city and county services has been consolidated; we must begin the process of consolidating other areas. Purchasing efficiencies can be gained by working with other areas of government. Sharing facilities can save money. Reducing the overlap of services between government agencies can also be accomplished. I would re-establish tri-government (city, county and township) to facilitate these discussions and promote communication and cooperation between different levels of government.

The county can and must work with other agencies to insure that future generations will rely less on government; this will require the county to work together with other agencies in a concerted effort to insure our children are well prepared for school and that they have the opportunity to be successful.  Additionally, there is great room for government to work with non-profit agencies to lower county costs.

How do you plan to keep connected with constituents?

Wilson - I will stay connected in my traditional ways, through the newspaper, Internet, radio (I have been a regular on KROC radio for nearly 15 years), neighborhood associations, and other opportunities. I am known to be accessible.

Wright - The best way to keep connected is a personable face-to-face contact and I will do this as often as I can.  I also intend to develop a method of electronic communication which will allow people to read and familiarize themselves with the many issues that are being discussed at the county level. I believe that the best decisions are made when the citizens of the district are informed and can contribute to the decision making; therefore, I will do what I can to insure that all who want to serve on advisory committees, task forces, focus groups and town halls are included.

What can the county do to serve a growing population? What revenue sources would you prefer to meet increasing service needs?

Wilson - Meeting the needs of a growing population will require identification of the need as part of our mission. We are potentially at the point where certain mandated services will have to be challenged in order to provide support for services more tailored to our community’s demographics and growth needs. One example of revenue enhancement is the city’s extension of the local option sales tax which will assist the county in achieving key infrastructure completions, thus removing key pressures on the local tax levy. In addition local partnerships will need to be enacted to carry out crucial opportunities.

Wright - Part of this answer is to create efficiencies in the workplace but finding the revenue will always be a challenge.  The simple answer has been to raise property taxes but I do not think this is right answer.  The county can work with other government agencies and local groups to increase the opportunity for economic growth that will provide greater revenue stream for the county.  The city and county can consolidate similar departments which will save money in both levels of government. Olmsted can grow the educational opportunities which will create jobs and supply graduates to industries and create a less expensive alternative to our families.  And we can work with legislature to keep more of the revenue that we generate in Olmsted County while reforming the current tax structure that has made it difficult for Olmsted County to maintain its mandates and obligations.

What opportunities for making the waste-to-energy facility financially solvent do you feel would be best to explore?

Wilson - As explored recently, the need to address our waste to energy facility economic issue must include making us competitive and attractive to neighboring markets that may become our customers. Lowering of the tip fee to expand our pool of customers needs to be examined. I would not support the use of tax levy as we have designed this as an enterprise operation. Part of our challenge has been our success of recycling, which is a significant goal. The economic downturn has complicated our business plan as volume is down.

Wright - We should recognize that the tremendous recycling efforts of the county and its citizens have reduced the tonnage of waste that goes into the burners. While improving the environment, this has also reduced the revenue that comes from waste.  The cost savings to the environment and county in reducing the need for landfills is not calculated into the profit/loss equation. The investment of the incinerator that was recently completed has created capacity for steam that will serve us well in the future. We can increase revenue by gaining new customers for the steam generated by burning the trash. For example, the community college just converted several buildings to steam heat from the waste-to-energy plant. This will lower the cost of heating for RCTC and provide revenue for the waste-to-energy enterprise.

What can be done to address unmanageable court caseloads? Would you support the creation of a drug court?

Wilson - The courts which face difficult challenges will need to examine its arena. While counties do not directly control the courts, we can encourage such use of technology such as video arraignments, etc to better control costs and efficient uses of time and resources. Use of technology can also assist with managing case load issues. I can certainly support the creation of a drug court, but the local tax levy can’t support it. State funding needs to support this. We have opened a productive dialogue to address such issues as court security.

Wright - I support a Drug Court because other counties have found that this is a successful and cost saving endeavor. However, the cost savings should not just stop here. I would also plan an efficient Night Court that can deal with traffic violation and similar cases. This would not only save money for the county but it would also save money for our citizens who now have to lose a day of work to attend court during the day. This would also be an efficient use of the courtrooms that now stand vacant at night. Additionally, Olmsted needs to avail itself to diversion programs which have been proven to be successful, especially for first-time non-violent offenders. This will reduce costs in the county jail system. The savings from these programs can be recovered and put into the court system. Olmsted County can also work with non-profit agency to provide for youth employment, activities and service opportunities in the community. Keeping our youth out of the justice system will save the county money and make a better community.

What can the county do to address transportation issues as Rochester and Olmsted County grow?

Wilson - Support for the Rochester sales tax extension will go a long ways to help address city and county transportation projects which are essential to commerce and public access. In addition as previously mentioned, this will also alleviate pressure on the tax levy. In addition the use of public transportation will need to be a future point of discussion and input as our population ages. The zip rail initiative is essential to move forward if feasible and sustainable as the movement of people is key to our local and state economy. With the challenges to traditional transportation, and the costs associated with it, a new seamless option may be at our finger tips. While medicine is our hallmark, transportation is the backbone to support our economic engine

Wright - I will help to develop a transportation plan that will address the ability to get people to jobs and assist our aging population to get to grocery stores, medical clinics and pharmacies. The county must work not only with the city transportation system to do this but also develop public/profit and public/nonprofit relationships to adequately meet future mobility needs.