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What do you see as your city's biggest issue?
Mark W. Campbell - Finances. Specifically, from a revenue perspective, the amount of Local Government Aid and the future tax capacity of the city compared to the expenditures of the city. The city is facing a period of minimal increase in revenue and growing expenditures.
Marilyn Patterson - As a maturing community slated for more growth, Sauk Rapids has to determine how to effectively maintain and enhance what we value as a community while at the same time taking on growth in a way that does not cause long-term negative impacts.
What's your solution for that situation?
Mark W. Campbell - Solutions: Carefully manage the expenditures of the city.
Expand the tax capacity of the city by growing our commercial tax base.
Lobby the state government to continue to fund LGA at a fair, consistent, and equitable level.
Marilyn Patterson - My solution is to take a big-picture approach to community building versus merely focusing on growth. We need to go beyond managing growth -- which, while important and necessary, is only part of the issue -- and tackle the larger scope of sustainability.
What should the Legislature do to address concerns about the level of local government aid?
Mark W. Campbell - The state must provide a fair, consistent, and equitable method of funding LGA for all cities.
Marilyn Patterson - The Legislature should stabilize local government aid by creating a sensible and fair formula that provides for steady, predictable funding. Ideally the Legislature should continue restoration of funding cut from the program in 2003.
Describe your style of leadership with regard to conflict management.
Mark W. Campbell - As mayor, I have the responsibility as the presiding officer of the council meetings. I believe that all members are entitled to voice their opinion regardless of their differences. In the end, any conflict is settled by the majority vote of the council.
Marilyn Patterson - My leadership style with regard to conflict management emphasizes civility: actively listening, respecting the opinions of others, taking responsibility for one's own actions, and as council chair, applying rules of order in a fair and inclusive manner.