Two candidates are running for mayor of Burnsville and three for seats on the city council in November’s election.

General information about the Nov. 5, 2024, election is online at twincities.com/news/politics/elections including information on candidates for races in Ramsey, Dakota and Washington counties.

To find out what’s on your ballot, where to vote and other election information, visit the Minnesota Secretary of State’s elections page at sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting.

Mayor

Will Johnson

Will Johnson. (Courtesy of the candidate)

Age: 64

What would your top priorities be if elected? Public Safety, strengthening support for police and fire departments, enhancing community policing initiatives, and ensuring that all residents feel safe and secure. along with Economic Development where I will focus on promoting local businesses, attracting new investment, and creating job opportunities through strategic partnerships and incentives. Infrastructure Improvement I will be prioritizing the maintenance and development of roads, public transportation, and utilities to ensure a well-functioning city. Community Engagement start Fostering open communication between residents and city officials, encouraging public participation in decision-making, and addressing community needs. Establishing Affordable Housing while working to provide a range of housing options that meet the needs of all residents, including affordable and accessible housing. Youth and Family Programs will be supporting recreational and educational programs for youth and families to enhance community cohesion and well-being. In Health and Wellness, I will be Promoting public health initiatives and access to healthcare services to improve the overall well-being of residents These priorities aim to create a safe, thriving, and inclusive community for all Burnsville residents.

What qualifies you to hold this position? My community involvement allows me to understand the needs priorities and challenges of Burnsville. I am also dedicated to public safety, desiring to gain the support of both the police and the fire departments. And allowing these two departments to keep our city safe by recognizing their needs and helping them achieve the things necessary to bring about there overall objectives. I also have a Vision for Growth and Sustainability, with a collaborative approach. Having a Vision for the Future having Integrity and Accountability, with a Dedication to Public Service with a Focus on Inclusivity and Equity ensuring that all members of our community are heard and considered in the decision-making processes.

What do you think is the primary role of government? To maintain order, ensure justice and promote the wellbeing of its citizens. If we have a strong Public Safety with Security. And we’re administering equally the Rule of Law and Justice, being well prepared with Provision of Public Goods and Services. In our world we understand the need of the Protection of Rights and Freedoms, while Promoting General Welfare and Fostering Civic Engagement and Participation. Let’s look quickly at Diplomacy and International Relations because I believe. As we begin to return back to a society where people treat each other like people, not greater than or less than but rather we are all people. The World will take note, and other Nations will feel good about investing in Burnsville where they know their employees will be a group of people treating their product with respect while being thankful to receive a nice payday.

How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you? Active Listening would be first I would focus on genuinely listening to others, seeking to understand their perspectives without immediately formulating a response. While remaining Open-Minded I will approach conversations with a willingness to consider alternative viewpoints and recognize that differing opinions can offer valuable insights. I Will be asking questions and engage in dialogue by asking open-ended questions to clarify others’ perspectives and explore the reasoning behind their beliefs. I will be empathetic and strive to understand the emotions and experiences that shape others’ viewpoints, which helps build a connection and mutual respect. The wonders of Reflective Thinking after having discussions, I will take time to reflect on what I’ve learned, considering how these insights might influence my own views or actions. Engage in a Dialogue that Fosters respectful discussions that allow for the exchange of ideas, focusing on finding solutions rather than winning arguments. Encourage Diverse Perspectives because this will create opportunities for community members to share their opinions, ensuring a variety of voices are heard in decision-making processes. And I will forever remember this elderly lady who stuck out her finger and shook it at me and said we’re going to vote for you, but you better do what you say you’re going to do because we’re depending on you. I was greatly humbled as her voice rang with a stern tone yet full of compassion. Therefore, I will Stay Humble and acknowledge that I may not have all the answers and be willing to adjust my views based on new information and insights.

Website or contact information: willjohnsonformayor.com or livingbywill@yahoo.com

Elizabeth Kautz (incumbent)

Elizabeth B. Kautz. (Courtesy of the candidate)

Age: 77

What would your top priorities be if elected? Public Safety, Economic Development/Redevelopment and Financial Management.

What qualifies you to hold this position? I am serving my 29th year as Mayor of the City of Burnsville, MN. Leadership and Experience matters. I have served on many Boards, elected by my peers at the US Conference of Maxors to serve as its 68th President. Co-Founded the Regional Council of Mayors 18 years ago. Served on St. Mary’s University Council of Regions and as its Chairperson for over 15 years. I was appointed by our Governor to serve on the Governor’s Board of Workforce Development. I served on Board of the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority and was elected to Chair the Board for many years. I also served on the Board of Greater MSP. I was one of the few women in the Catholic Church that served in professional ministry without ordination. I created the Pastoral Ministry at St. John’s Catholic Church in Savage, MN in the 1970s and when I felt that I had accomplished my mission at the church, I started my business, Growth Dynamics in 1986. My business was in Mental Health, Employee Assistance and Organizational Development. I grew the business and sold it in 1996. I hold an undergraduate degree from St. Catherine’s University in St Paul and a graduate degree from the Alfred Adler graduate Institute of Chicago. My background is rich with results from all of my service. I am a proven leader, impassioned visionary, experienced and trusted, leader and collaborator and serving ethically, respectful as I serve all.

What do you think is the primary role of government? The role of government is facilitate the work of we the people, which means to listen carefully to the needs of the people. On the local level the number one priority is public safety, provide services like infrastructure above and below the ground. Provide for amenities like parks that enrich the lives and wellbeing of our residence. Create an environment through our land use, zoning and codes to help our businesses locate in our cities and thrive.

How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you? I am a compassionate and collaborative leader. Listening to everyone’s views and together create a pathway forward. The most important factor is the people, most often we all agree on the end results, the difference comes in on the path towards that goal/outcome. Data and analysis helps us to have information to help us on our journey to achieve our goals and objectives.

Website or contact information: Email address – ebkautz@comcast.net, Facebook page: Mayor Elizabeth B. Kautz for Burnsville.

City council (elect two)

Dan Gustafson (incumbent)

Dan Gustafson. (Courtesy of the candidate)

Age: 71

What would your top priorities be if elected? If reelected, I will continue to prioritize public safety by supporting our safety personnel and behavioral health unit. I will also focus on transforming Burnsville’s regional mall into a dynamic, mixed-use destination for commerce and community activities. Improving housing quality through proactive neighborhood services will be key, helping seniors, young families, and income-challenged homeowners. I’ll advocate for enhanced mass transit to improve connections between Burnsville and neighboring areas, boosting access to jobs and amenities. Finally, I will ensure continued investment in parks and recreation to promote a healthy, active lifestyle for our residents.

What qualifies you to hold this position? I have the honor to have served as a Burnsville City Council Member from 2004-2012 and 2016 to the present. I’m the current President of the Economic Development Authority since 2018 and a member of the National League of Cities’ Economic Development and Housing Committee I also serve as liaison to Experience Burnsville (CVB) and the citizens code review task force. Additionally, I serve on the League of Minnesota Cities’ Improving Local Economies Committee and the Metro Cities Board of Directors, gaining experience in economic development and community engagement at both local and regional levels.

What do you think is the primary role of government? Government plays a vital role in ensuring the well-being and prosperity of a community. Its primary responsibility is to maintain public safety by providing police, fire, and emergency services that protect residents and respond to crises. Public works ensure that essential infrastructure—such as roads, water, and waste management—are reliable and maintained, supporting daily life and local businesses. Parks and recreational services promote community health, offering spaces for leisure, exercise, and social engagement, while enhancing the city’s natural environment. Neighborhood services, such as housing assistance and community development programs, work to improve living conditions, support homeowners, and stabilize neighborhoods. To sustain these critical services, they must be properly funded through responsible and reasonable tax levies, ensuring long-term community growth and well-being. Overall, government must balance these responsibilities to create a thriving, safe, and vibrant community for all residents.

How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you? To understand and learn from differing opinions, I focus on active listening, making sure I hear the other person’s perspective without interrupting. I then ask why they hold that opinion, which helps me better understand their reasoning and where they are coming from. This approach allows me to see the issue from their viewpoint and recognize any valid points I might not have considered. Even if I ultimately disagree, I always validate their opinion by acknowledging that I respect their right to hold it. This fosters mutual respect and opens the door for meaningful dialogue.

Website or contact information: gustafsonforburnsville.com

Chris John

Chris John. (Courtesy of the candidate)

Age: 50

What would your top priorities be if elected? 1. We have two unlined landfills, which are declared superfund sites by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), these sites sit adjacent to the Minnesota River and near our drinking water source. We need to ensure the MPCA has the ability to complete their job to ensure the contaminants from these sites are cleaned up and removed from our drinking water source. 2. To ensure our staffing levels at city hall are back to their optimal levels, especially in public safety. We need to discontinue operating on policies that continuously underfunds our city. 3. Being active participants in revitalizing Burnsville Center, our economic hub since its inception in 1977. In 2017 we came up with the Center Village Vision, we should continue to pursue this vision.

What qualifies you to hold this position? I have spent the last 12 years serving on Burnsville advisory commissions; providing me the opportunity to understand how the city operates and to meet and build relationships with the city staff. Additionally work on the ISD 191 Finance Advisory Committee has given me insight into public funding and budgets, and my career in accounting has taught me to be fiscally responsible.

What do you think is the primary role of government? Government is the combination of the citizens within a community. It maintains our shared properties and tries to ensure everyone’s interest is represented. I believe the primary role of government is to maintain stability within the community it governs, ensuring that one person’s rights don’t impede upon another person’s rights, while also providing for the public infrastructure, security, and other public services deemed necessary by the community.

How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you? I appreciate people that have the confidence to stand up and share their opinions. There are always multiple ways to see an issue, and hearing those opinions can provide a perspective that I didn’t originally consider. Everyone deserves for their voice to be heard. I may not always agree with those opinions, but I always respect the fact that other people have them.

Website or contact information: ChrisJohn4Burnsville.com

Cara Schulz (incumbent)

Cara Schulz. (Courtesy of the candidate)

Age: 54

What would your top priorities be if elected? If re-elected, my top priorities center around enhancing public safety, supporting neighborhood revitalization, and ensuring responsible fiscal management while protecting our environment and improving the economic well-being of our residents. Public Safety: I continue to support community-based policing initiatives, such as the Police Behavioral Health Unit, which addresses mental health crises in partnership with social workers. Public safety is about more than just enforcement; it’s about addressing root causes and providing ongoing care. Neighborhood Revitalization: Build on the neighborhood grant program, launching in 2025, empowering residents to improve their own communities. This initiative allows neighbors to come together, apply for funding, and implement projects that strengthen our neighborhoods. Economic Development & Environmental Protection: The Old Freeway Landfill presents both a challenge and an opportunity. I advocate for a solution that protects our water supply and opens up new development opportunities, generating significant tax revenue to help reduce property taxes and address the school district’s budget shortfall. Community Involvement: Burnsville’s strength lies in its residents. I created the Citizens Code Review Task Force, which modernizes our city code with input directly from residents. This initiative empowers citizens by ensuring that their voices shape the rules that govern our community.

What qualifies you to hold this position? What qualifies me to hold this position is the trust that Burnsville residents have placed in me. I was first elected to the City Council in 2016 and re-elected in 2020 because voters saw my commitment to service, transparency, and practical solutions that improve our community. As a U.S. Air Force veteran, I learned the importance of serving others, and I’ve carried that with me into my role on the City Council. Over the years, I’ve worked alongside residents to create positive changes, such as leading the Citizens Code Review Task Force, which modernized our city code, and launching the food forests program to provide fresh produce to the community. I believe in a government that listens to its people, protects both civil and economic liberties, and fosters a strong, thriving Burnsville. I have consistently focused on making our city a better place to live, work, and raise families, and I’m honored to continue that work with the support of Burnsville’s residents.

What do you think is the primary role of government? The primary role of government, especially at the local level, is to provide essential services like maintaining roads, ensuring access to clean water, keeping neighborhoods safe, and fostering revitalization in ways that improve life for everyone. Government should create the conditions where residents and businesses can thrive, without overstepping into people’s personal lives or restricting their ability to make a living. In Burnsville, our focus should remain on practical, non-partisan issues that directly impact the quality of life for our residents—things like public safety, infrastructure, and economic development. We don’t need the divisiveness we see at higher levels of government disrupting our ability to work together on the issues that matter. Above all, government should empower people by involving them in decisions that affect their lives, whether through projects like having our residents rewrite the entire city code or through our new neighborhood grant program. My philosophy has always been to ensure that our government works for, not against, the people of Burnsville.

How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you? I work to understand and learn from opinions that differ from my own by engaging in open, honest conversations with residents and business owners. As the only woman council member and the sole independent candidate running, I know how important it is to bring diverse voices to the table. I’m genuinely curious about other perspectives because I believe that understanding the “why” behind someone’s viewpoint helps us all figure out the “how” when it comes to finding mutually beneficial solutions. I value those moments when people share their experiences, even if we don’t see eye to eye. By listening to differing opinions, I ensure that everyone is included in our discussions. It’s not just about agreeing; it’s about finding common ground to make Burnsville better for everyone.

Website or contact information: caraschulz.com

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