The City Council is the legislative branch of the government. Any new laws, tax changes, and appointments must be approved by them. The council is made up of 6 members and the Mayor, who each serve for a 4 year term. The At Large member represents all of Northfield.
Candidates:
- Brad Ness (Incumbent)
- David Delong
Brad Ness
Candidate Interview:
Please list any current political offices you hold. (if any)
I am currently one of two At-Large members of the Northfield City Council.
Please list any previous political office you’ve held. (if any)
n/a
Please list any civic, community, or professional organizations/clubs your a part of. (if any)
I have been a member of the Defeat of Jesse James Days Committee since 1983.
I am a current member of the Minnesota Swim Officials Association.
I am the current Chair of the Northfield Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors.
I am the current treasurer for the Lincoln Court North Homeowners Association.
I am a member of the Northfield Fire and Rescue Service
Joint Powers Board and Chair of the Finance Committee.
I am a current member of the Rice – Steele 911 Joint Powers Board.
There are numerous other Boards and Committees that I have served on but the list above is the Current List.
What qualifies for the office you’re running for?
I am finishing my second term in the City Council. I am finally
comfortable looking at the City Budget and understanding most of
the workings of putting the budget together.
What inspired you to run for office? If you are running for reelection why do you want to stay in office?
I first ran for the City Council because I felt that the Council had some real issues with decorum and operating meetings in a constructive manner. I spoke with the Mayor-Elect (at that time) that this is something that needs to be addressed. I want to stay in office because I think I have much to offer in terms of getting our “needs” fulfilled yet still listening to the residents about some of their “wants.”
What is something that you would like to accomplish while in office?
I don’t have a list of priorities or special interests. I think that City Staff does a good job at bringing forward items that will fulfill the “needs” of the City yet leaving room for some of the “wants” to be discussed. I don’t always vote in favor of all of the wants but I listen to the residents and try to bring their concerns into the discussion and perhaps even my vote on these issues.
What does being a leader mean to you?
I like to use the phrase “We were given two ears and one mouth, use them in proportion.” I think that is the sign of a good leader. Someone that can listen to residents and make sure that their position on an issue is truly heard.
Frequently voters in Northfield have expressed concerns about the high property taxes. Are you willing to vote for a tax increase? If so what are the criteria you use to justify that increase?
It is necessary to vote for tax increases because 7.7% of the levy in 2025 supports City Personnel. Some would say that the answer to that would be to eliminate some of the City Staff. My answer to that is we could do that but there are certain expectations of residents on what services the City should offer. And, if the City did not cut these services, there would still be a need to provide the service and increase the use of Consultants. The only way to
reduce this 7.7% in the levy would be do decrease the services the City provides. The problem I see is that the priority list of services would be very different for each resident of the City. Another very important part of the levy is to cover the debts incurred by the City. The debt in the levy for 2025 is 5.4%. We either need to pay off this debt or default on it. I don’t think the latter is anything that any Resident would like to see.
There are several projects facing Northfield (Ice Area, Water Treatment Plant, etc.), how would you prioritize which projects get funding and support?
I believe that the Ice Arena is a project that won’t be stopped. The City has authorized the sale of the existing facility so there are two options, get out of the “Ice Business” entirely or build a new arena. I believe that the “Public – Private” partnership that was created in this new facility is the best option for the City. If the City had to finance 100% of this new facility it would be in the neighborhood of $19,000,000. The City’s portion on the
new arena will be approximately $10,000,000. And, I am a firm believer that a well run Ice Arena has the potential to operate in the black. I don’t think there are any other City facilities that this would apply to. I voted for the “Water Treatment Facility” when it was first introduced because the total price tag on the facility was approximately $35,000,000. In addition to that, we were awarded a $32,000,000 grant from the Federal Government. They then told the City that they would be paying this grant in installments. The City has received approximately $5,000,000 of this grant. If this project is cancelled, the City would likely need to pay back all of the money from the Federal Government.
How would you work to make sure that residents concerns are heard and addressed?
I take every citizen’s comments seriously. Because I vote against some of the citizens, does not mean that I haven’t heard their concerns. I will also meet one-on-one with citizens or a small group to discuss any item that might come before the Council. We also have “listening sessions” before our two business meetings every month and anyone can speak at the open-mic when an agenda item is up for consideration. I believe that the Citizens of
Northfield have good opportunity to contact their Council representatives either face-to-face or through electronic means.
David Delong
Candidate Interview:
Please list any current political offices you hold. (if any)
n/a
Please list any previous political office you’ve held. (if any)
City Council 2nd Ward 1994 – 2000
Voting Member Nfld Economic Development Authority 1994,1995,1996
City Council 2nd Ward 2013 – 2020
Voting Member Northfield Planning Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals 2016
Please list any civic, community, or professional organizations/clubs your a part of. (if any)
United States Army
Age Friendly Northfield
What qualifies for the office you’re running for?
I meet all local and State requirements to qualify for elective office. In addition I’ve been an employee, an employer. I’ve been a tenant, I’ve been a landlord. I’ve been a business owner, home owner and property tax payer, I’ve hired and fired people. I’ve observed or been part of City government for many years. I have a natural curiosity, do my own homework and if something isn’t clear I ask questions.
What inspired you to run for office? If you are running for reelection why do you want to stay in office?
The runaway spending and tax levy increases. I have a record of advocating for reasonable levy increases. My last year on the Council the levy increase was 3.7% the minute I was off the Council, the Property Tax Levy increased 11.6% then 18.5% then 9% and a proposed 15.8% this year.
What is something that you would like to accomplish while in office?
Bring spending and tax increases back under control. Maintaining the current physical assets like the NCRC before adding super expensive projects like the Muni.
What does being a leader mean to you?
ALMA – ask, listen meaningfully, adjust. Sometimes having to play devil’s advocate to make sure all voices are represented. If all the people in the room agree someone isn’t doing their job. Making a decision on what’s best for Northfield as a whole.
Frequently voters in Northfield have expressed concerns about the high property taxes. Are you willing to vote for a tax increase? If so what are the criteria you use to justify that increase?
I would vote yes for a tax increase if it were necessary. It would have to be based on needs versus wants and of a demonstrable benefit to the general welfare of the inhabitants of the city as a whole.
There are several projects facing Northfield (Ice Area, Water Treatment Plant, etc.), how would you prioritize which projects get funding and support?
Always core city functions first. Needed vs wanted.
An indoor Ice Arena is not a core function of the City. The City provides numerous recreational rinks. Bridge Square does not need a 5 million dollar reworking. It needs a little TLLCC, tender loving low cost care like a sprinkler system. The City does not need a 58 million dollar water treatment plant. It is not a requirement. The Minnesota Department of Health website specifically states it is a Manganese guideline not a requirement. We only exceed the guidelines for manganese for babies under 6 months. We could provide families of newborns glug glug dispensers from Culligan or Cannon Valley Water and save 57 and a half million dollars.
There should be a moratorium on Bike lane construction not a moratorium on the Industrial Park. Moving the Muni does not make financial sense.
How would you work to make sure that residents concerns are heard and addressed?
Once again I would use ALMA Ask, listen meaningfully, adjust. I emphasize listen meaningfully. People are busy and when they do show up you should listen to them not just pay lip service. Ward meetings have been tried in the past, there’s one or two good ones, then the bottom falls out. Most people don’t pay attention till you hit them in the pocketbook. Perhaps the City could do a better Truth in taxation hearing? Instead of charts and graphs we could have more of an itemized list.
