Accomplishments
Transparent & Timely Communication
As Mayor I ensure residents, business owners and other constituents are informed about what is going on in the City of Carver. You can always expect honest and original communication - no artificial intelligence (AI) created messages from me!
My work to improve transparency between the City and residents by increasing communication efforts include writing monthly articles for the Carver Connections newsletter, frequently submitting articles to Carver County Local News and the Waconia Patriot, and maintaining my own mayoral Facebook and Instagram channels.
Another example of how I’ve pushed for more transparency in local government is ensuring City Council work sessions are broadcast live, recorded and made available on the City’s website – a practice which began a few months into my term as Mayor.
Continued Fiscal Responsibility
As Mayor, I work hard to be a good steward of taxpayer money. I have sought out grants, innovative partnerships and other creative means of financing to lower the financial burden for Carver’s residents and its businesses.
Large grants Carver has received during my time as Mayor include:
$12.75M in grant funding from local, state, and federal sources for the Levee Improvement Project (2020 - 2026)
More than $700,000 from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Outdoor Heritage Funds, and the Environmental and Natural Resources Fund for Creekside Park (2025)
$1.3M Minnesota Bridge Bond grant from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) for the 3rd Street bridge (2024)
$1.25M Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP) grant from MnDOT for construction on 6th Street West (2021)
In my next term I will continue the same fiscally conservative practices I utilize both as Mayor and in my personal life. For example, in 2022 when the bids for Ironwood Park came in higher than budgeted, I was the ONLY Council Member to vote AGAINST including a park shelter in the project, which would have kept construction costs closer to the original estimate.
$30M+ in Commercial & Industrial Growth
The City of Carver welcomed $17.5M* in industrial and $13M* in commercial development since 2019, which has broadened our tax base and brought jobs to the City of Carver. In the past eight years 21 new businesses have opened (or are opening soon) in Carver:
Carver Smoke Shop (coming soon!)
*2025 numbers. 2026 data is not yet available, but will likely have higher values!
Thoughtful & Planned Growth
The City of Carver is a welcoming community, which often has lower housing prices compared with other communities in eastern Carver County. It’s no wonder why people what to move here!
As Carver continues its growth trajectory, we’re ready for it. We’ve been planning for growth for years! By following the “Design Carver” Comprehensive Plan we’ve been able to:
Plan for the infrastructure needs of our growing community including:
Trunk fees so new growth in Carver pays their own way for new water and
sanitary sewer infrastructure
Anticipate and plan for future needs from a financial perspective through the:
Allow for a broad range of housing, with options for every stage of life, through the Housing Action Plan and Connection Fee Waiver Policy. Examples of the variety of housing available (or in the planning phase) in Carver include:
Preserving & Promoting the Historic District
We have something special in downtown Carver – a historic, true downtown that’s a little off the beaten path. I’ve worked hard to ensure we maintain downtown’s charm, while supporting the businesses in one of the largest contiguous districts on the National Register of Historic Places.
It is also important to find a solution for the Minnesota River flood levee so home owners and business development in the flood plain aren’t hampered by the need for exorbitant flood insurance premiums. Over the past eight years I’ve lobbied on behalf of the City of Carver, resulting in $12.75M in grant funding from local, state and federal sources for the Levee Improvement Project, an endeavor which will modernize the levee along the Minnesota River to continue to protect the City of Carver from floods for generations to come.
Items I Have Initiated & Led as Mayor
Securing $12.75M in grant funding for the Levee Improvement Project (2020 - 2026)
One-year moratorium on data centers (2026)
Enhanced stop signs installed along CR 44 (Big Woods Boulevard) and CR 11 (Jonathan Carver Parkway) to to increase visibility and help draw drivers’ attention (2025)
Permanent organics (food, food-soiled paper, and other compostable products) recycling dumpster located in Lions Park (2025)
Biannual organic yard and garden waste recycling drop-off events for Carver residents (2023)
A modern, more user-friendly city website, which is easier to navigate and search (2021)
Community gardens located behind Church by the River (2021)
Farmers Market (2021)
Monthly column in the Carver Connections newsletter (2020)
Work session meetings are broadcast live, recorded and are available on the City’s website (2019)
The city no longer provides and pays for meals for Mayor and City Council Members at monthly meetings (2019)
And more!
I also want to hear from you
If I am missing anything you think is important, please let me know by emailing me at Courtney4Mayor@gmail.com.