Good evening. My name is Paty Green. I am a member of the New Hope Area League of Women Voters. I will be your excuse me, your moderator for the Anoka County Commissioner District 4 candidate forum. I do not live in the voting district and cannot vote in this election. The primary election for Anoka County Commissioner District 4 will take place on Tuesday, August 11th. All candidates were invited and we have Jerry Cook and Jennifer Gistler here tonight. On behalf of our hosts, QCTV and the League of Women Voters, I want to welcome our viewers and candidates. This form is being recorded by QCTV as a public service. A full unedited recording will be posted on the QCTV and the League of Women Voters website of Anoka Bla Rapids and League of Women Voters Minnesota. Editing is permitted only for official media reporting. Candidate form clips may not be used for partisan political purposes. The League of Women Voters is a volunteer nonpartisan organization that encourages informed and active participation in government. We work to increase the understanding of major public policy issues and influence public policy through education and advocacy. The League does not support or oppose any candidate or political party. The views expressed tonight are those of these candidates. Our goal is to provide voters an opportunity to hear directly from them on issues that matter to you. If your questions are not addressed during the forum, we encourage you to contact the candidates directly. The questions presented this evening were submitted by the public in advance and selected to capture a broad spectrum of community interests. A randomized rotation process was used to determine which candidates begin each question and the order of responses. We will begin with two questions that were provided in advance. Candidates will have up to 90 seconds to respond to each. Next, we'll move to questions submitted by the public. And for these, the candidates will have up to one minute to respond. We will conclude with a one minute statement. Our timer will signal when you have 15 seconds remaining. When time is up, please finish your sentence quickly because time limits are strictly enforced. You will be interrupted if you continue belong beyond your allotted time. Yeah. So, we'll begin with the introductory questions and you have 90 seconds. We will start with uh candidate Gistler and the question is what is your motivation to run for this office and what experience or knowledge would help you to serve effectively? Thank you for the question. So, why am I running? I'm dedicated to helping others and being part of my community. In my past experience in public office, I was on the Rapids City Council for 10 years. I've been an election judge. I have been had roles on planning commission and economic development commission with the city of Corn Rapids as a volunteer and done that as service to the community. While I was on the council, I was also appointed to the Met Council land use advisory committee where I worked and focused on housing and land use issues. Since leaving the county um council, I have been engaged in my community. I am a a member of the League of Women Voters and I have um also a membership with the Rapids Women of Today, which is a service organization in the community. So, everything in my adult life has been in service and helping my community. I balance that off with my work experience. Um, I have 17 years working with Dayton Hudson Target in a number of different roles from internal auditor to manager of network to um, credit customer service to my current role which is in technology services and consulting helping customers find problems solutions to their problems using technology and process. >> Thank you candidate Cook. Thank you. Good evening. My name is Jerry Cook and I'd like to thank the League of Women Voters and QCTV for hosting this candidate forum. My motivation to run for NOA County Commission comes down to a simple goal to keep in Noa County a great place to live, work, and raise a family. I am not running because I'm angry, nor do I have a personal agenda. In fact, I believe In Noa County is currently run well, and we are fortunate to have strong leadership. I want to build on that solid foundation and offer collaborative, stable leadership for our future. What I bring to the county board is a unique blend of business experience and public service. For the past 38 years, I have worked as a local realtor, helping families navigate the milestone of buying or selling their homes. My involvement with the realtor's organization is actually what first sparked my desire to serve in local government. I served on and chaired numerous real estate boards, including their governmental affairs committee, eventually serving as our local board president and late um later the chairman of the regional multiple listing service. That experience taught me the vital importance of protecting private property rights, understanding local economic trends, and listening closely to the needs of business and everyday residents. That professional background naturally led me to my time on the Rapids City Council and ultimately my last 12 years as mayor of Rapids. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Um the next question is what are your goals for the future of Anoka County Commission? Um and we will start with Mr. Cook. >> Thank you. Uh my executive experience as mayor has given me a deep practical understanding of local government logistics. In Rapids, we have worked hard to keep property taxes affordable while simultaneously investing in vital infrastructure upgrades and maintaining premier police and fire departments. I know firsthand that at the end of the day, residents want the core essentials done right. Good roads, clean water, affordable taxes, and public safety personnel who arrive quickly when needed. And this is what residents and business and businesses have come to expect from Anoka County as well, plus social safety nets, regulatory services, public health initiatives, and library services. One of my goals for the future of Anoka County is to find a path forward for the new jail. At the risk of oversimplification, everyone seems to agree we need a new jail. The disagreement seems to be over the size, scope, and location. My time serving on boards and for the city have taught me many lessons. Try to anticipate unintended consequences of decisions and the ultimate litmus test for every decision comes down to in this case what is best for an NOA county while keeping in mind that the city of Anoka is an important and integral part of an NOA county. I don't have the answer but I understand the importance of finding a path forward. Thank you. >> Thank you. Um, candidate Gisler. >> Thank you. Yeah, my goals are for all of Anoka County, not just District 4, as whatever we do from a county board perspective does affect all residents across the county. One of the first issues is really about how do we address the challenges that are going to be coming to the county because of all of the federal funding cuts for these necessary services for the county. We have to provide new ways of finding how to deliver those services to deliver the quality service yet not you know have the responsibility only fall to property taxes. We need to be more efficient in how we address and handle the services and one of those things is how we can get to work together. Um the jail is also another major focus. Um, for me, we need a new jail and we do need to really get people to sit down at the table and come together. There's a different council in Anoka, there's a different county board and to be able to make decisions to get this to happen because it needs to, it only keeps costing the residents of Anoka County more money the longer that this is delayed. Overall, my goals are to ensure that the county is meeting the needs of all of our residents, and we're doing that in a transparent and fiscally responsible manner. Thank you. Now, we'll move on to the questions submitted online by the public, and you will have one minute or up to one minute to answer the questions. So, the first question will go to uh candidate Cook and then Gistler. We will start that way. Budget oversight is a key responsibility of a commissioner. How would you plan to stay engaged with spending decisions the county board makes versus the budgetary agreement reached the previous December? Would you like me to say that again? >> Yes, please. >> Okay. Budget oversight is a key responsibility of a commissioner. How would you plan to stay engaged with spending decisions the county board makes versus the budgetary agreement reached the previous December that was reached before you took office? >> So, we're working with budget decisions that were made last December for this year. >> Um, you just have to manage to them. I guess I'm not really I don't really understand the question. I'm sure Jenny will because she's that the old uh um I forgot what you used to do. Used to uh anyway um but whatever it is, you have to stay within your budget. So I would work closely with staff and the county commission um is uh very involved in all of the various departments and all the management and you just you just stay within your budget. And I don't have a better answer than that. So I'll stop talking now. >> Okay. >> Thank you, Candidate Gistler. >> Yeah. So you are held to the budget, right? Um and so within that budget, you need to be managing to the funds that are allocated to the different departments within the county. That said, within buckets in the um divisions, you can do some tradeoffs. you can look to say, okay, here is an emergency. Here's something that we need to address and look at how can we do amendments to the budget that maybe move funds from one bucket to another bucket to be able to address and handle the priorities as they come forth from, you know, events in the county. There's you can't predict everything and so you need to have that flexibility with the budget. But again, you need to hold true to the budget as it was set um to make sure that you're meeting that obligation to the residents. >> Okay. Candidate Cook. >> What? >> Should I just say I agree with her? >> Oh. Oh, I did this backwards. Okay, I'm back on track. Um, human services budgets are a significant part of the county's overall expenditure. What are your priorities when determining that portion of the next year's budget? And we will start with candidate Cook. Human services budgets. >> I think you want to start with me on this one because he started last one. >> Well, it gets kind of randomized. Fair enough. It there's an algorithm there >> and that's the only way I can explain it. I understand. >> Um, human services budgets are a significant part of the county's overall expenditure. What are your priorities when determining that portion of next year's budget? >> Yeah. >> Still start with candidate Cook. >> Sure. Um, I mean, it's going to be to care for the most vulnerable. I mean, we're going to have a lot of constraints and a lot of stresses on that, but it's at the end of the day, you've got to you've got to care for the most vulnerable and you've got to you've got to manage for what you have in the budget and if you need to find some more money because of extra needs, you you figure it out. Um, I don't really have a better answer than that. I you you just manage to it. >> Okay. Thank you, >> Janet Gistler. Sure. from a health and human services. There are going to be many challenges um for the budget next year. Um, currently I know of at least three things that are cuts from federal funding that the county is going to have to find. And it's roughly $6 million of funds that the county is no longer going to get that we have to find ways to fund or do the services in a more efficient and effective way or shuffle funds around. So the fund for that um those dollars that we're losing don't fall to only the taxpayers. So with that it's how do you look at where can we bring in technology? They brought a new case system into health and human services this past year that's helping with some efficiencies. How can you drive that more? And so, how can we use the funds to make sure that we are serving all of the needs of the residents within the county, but yet looking for ways that we can be more efficient and make sure that we are using the funds appropriately so there is no fraud. >> Thank you, Candidate Cook. >> I agree with her. >> He already answered. >> No. Did really? No. After years of choosing Oh, okay. I'm You know what? I'm getting ahead of myself and crossing out names. After years of choosing not to make significant property tax levies, Anoka County recently increased levies. Do you favor the board returning to limited property tax levies and restrictions on perceived spending needs or do you favor supporting levy increases if the spending needs are warranted? We'll start with candidate Gistler. >> Yes. So, one of the challenges in county government is there aren't many ways to pay for the services. There's federal funding that can come to the county. There is state funding that can come to the county. And we need to be looking at those sources as much as we can. The only other source is property taxes. And so while we you I don't envision that there would ever be a zero um property tax levy as there were in the past because things cost more. The pressure is going to be how do you maintain and keep that increase in property tax taxes as low as you can where you still have to meet the needs of the community. We have public sa safety. We have transportation. We have health and human services that all need to be met and funded. >> Okay, candidate Cook. >> Thank you. Um, no, I I completely agree with what you just said. It's it's a matter it's really it's like the city. You have limited funds that you can choose from and you're doing it on the back of the residents and their property taxes for the most part. So, you've got to be very careful about what you fund and what you don't. And some things, you know, you look at needs versus wants, and if they're in absolute need, you have to do it. You have to pull it off. You have to find the funds. Um the the county was able to just like the city was able to keep the levies low for a while. I mean, we had the advantages of $60 million in ARPA funds and we had all these other various funding things, but those have all pretty well dried up now. There's just a little bit of ARPA fund left at the uh county that need to spend. Um, but it's a matter of really addressing needs versus wants. And if you have to you have to raise property tax levy, you have to do it. It's just it's it's a shared pain, but uh it's necessary. >> Thank you. Okay. The next question is, Anoka County has reduced bonded debt, but residents still expect strong roads, buildings, technology, and services. How would you balance low debt with needed investments? And we will start with candidate Cook. >> Yeah. Um again, it's a matter of ma managing your priorities, trying to figure out um sometimes you can go an extra couple years out of a road without inflicting much pain. Um and other times a road has to be replaced right away and you just need to you need to find the money. Um, I applaud the county for paying down their bonds, for paying down their debt, and I and I think that's a a worthwhile goal and something to try and um stay on course with. But if you absolutely have to do some roads, you there's very very few other places to go other than bonding. >> So, thank you. >> Thank you, candidate Gistler. >> Sure. You know, so reducing debt is good fiscal management. Um, but reducing debt and deferring investment can't, you know, always be an excuse, right, to to not bonder for something. So, the county has a long-term capital plan and we need to continue and look at that capital plan to say when do things need to be funded and by looking to the future and making sure that we're planning, you know, when do you need a new facility? When do you need, you know, new roads? When do you need these things that require large capital outlays to ensure that you are doing it thoughtfully and being a good steward of the funds. Key thing for me is that residents need to understand how things are being paid for and that we need to have a disciplined approach for how things get funded. Um and using um bonds is one effective way to do that. Thank you. Do you believe an NOA County employees are generally paid appropriately as compared to other metro area county employees? And we will start with candidate Gistler. >> Yes. So I have more anecdotal um information from reading different studies than actual information. So some of this is nuanced. Um, I know that there have been things in the past where the Anoko County employees were not receiving pay in the pace of the surrounding counties. So, we did lose a number of employees to those counties. This past year, I know that they have started to do some pay adjustments for leadership within the county divisions to try and make up some of that gap. So, you know, are they on par with the current counties right now? Um, our peers, I can't say that, but I would certainly be look into to make sure that they are because it's important that our county employees are paid fairly and equitably according to our neighbor counties so we do not lose the good people. >> Thank you, Candidate Cook. >> Yeah. Um it I think there was a time again anecdotally that that we were a little bit behind and I know when our when our new sheriff took over uh four years ago um and I I recall as mayor that there would be lateral movements. we would you would make hires from the sheriff's department because the the local PDs paid better and he made a a pay adjustment for all the deputy sheriff's kind of and moss and it was expensive but it was necessary to keep the staff happy to keep their keep good patrols online. Um and I know that some adjustments have been made around the county offices and the attorney's offices as well. And I I I can tell you that I don't hear that we're behind. Um but I don't have I don't have the actual data. My guess is somebody in the county does and and I think they've probably been keeping up with it and I would I would guess we're probably pretty close now, but I would also be open to to any new studies that say different. >> Okay. Thank you. The next question. What concerns you most about Anoka County's future? And we will start with candidate Cook. >> Yeah. Um it's it's the cost of the health and human services, the social services, uh the unfunded mandates, the um the we need to do so much. We have so much um untreated mental health that we have to deal with that that impacts our jail. It impacts our sheriff. it impacts, you know, so many aspects of life. Um, and and we're on a very big trajectory for uh population growth. And we need to make sure that everything that we do and build is built for the future and built to handle the capacity of our of our increasing population. Um, and then it's always just trying to keep the levy in the in in perspective. So I that'd be about it I guess. Thank you. >> Thank you. Candidate Gistler. >> Can you repeat the question, please? >> It's what concerns you most about Anoka County's future. >> Okay. So from the future, it's are we going to be prepared to handle all of the changes in the in the future? That means, you know, do we have the right services? Do we have the right technology to be able to deliver the services? Do we have the right people? are we keeping pace with the outside, you know, world of the county to be able to say we've got the tools that we need to be able to deliver. And there's so much need in the county um from a human services perspective. We have, you know, housing needs, we have public safety needs, we have transportation needs, and all of that is going to come to a head from a pressure on funding. And so, it's going to be really important to prioritize and make smart choices to be able to effectively move forward so we're not pricing people out of living in Anoka County. Thank you. Okay, the next question. It's a longer question with a couple questions within it and we'll start with candidate Gistler. The city of Anoka and Anoka County remain at odds over the decision to build a new county jail on roughly the same space as the existing jail in downtown Anoka. Tell us how you perceive the current jail struggle and how you both want and expect the situation to play out. How should the county and the city proceed over this difference of opinion? >> Wow, that's going to be a lot in 60 seconds. Um, so the we desperately need a new jail. I took a jail tour a couple of weeks ago. It's not the right space any longer for the types of things that the county needs. So with that um things started years ago before this current board before the current anoka city council and my personal opinion is that they were not started or done well which led to some friction between those two parties. There are currently two different lawsuits that I'm aware of between the city and the county regarding the jail. And to me, we all need to just find a way to get together, sit down and talk about what truly is needed. We do need a jail. Where is it going to go? How is it going to be built? How can we address any issues that the city of Anoka has? And everybody be open to dialogue and sitting down and having a conversation to get to an answer. >> Thank you, Candidate Cook. >> Thank you. Um, yeah, I also toured the jail and along with the cost of the new jail going up, you know, $20 million a year, we're also having to put a lot of investments into this old jail that were not anticipated because we didn't think we were still going to be in here. Suddenly, we're looking at roofs and HVACs, and if you walk through there, it's it's it's pretty bism abysmal conditions. Um there's some there's some things that I can't figure out and that is we need communications between the commission and the ina city council and I was told I met with the mayor for about an hour talking about this of an NOA and he said that they hadn't had a meeting in two years with the county board about the jail and you're just not going to find a way through unless you have communications unless you sit down and talk it out. I don't I don't know that there's a better spot for the jail, but I think that we we've got to be able to find a a pathway to to get this done. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay, the next question. As a county commissioner, what measures, if any, would you support to reinforce reinforce or ensure voter confidence in our elections? And we will start with candidate Cook. >> Yeah. Um, I know this is a really big issue and I know that there's there's pushes to go back to uh paper ballots and and um get rid of the the the poll pads. Um, Anoka County has handled their elections very well. Um, I've been I as the mayor of the largest city in Anoka County for a time, I was always there to um Oh, you know when you swear off on the uh on the election and there's a word for it, but it only comes up two years. Um and and they randomly select precincts. They uh they land randomly do the the the recounts of those. They're always they're always right on or within one or something. any recounts that have happened have been very close or nearly right on. Um, we don't really have a problem right now, but I think I would be open I mean I would consistently be open to new ideas and if uh and if I if I see a way or understand or explained a way that that would be better, I'd be open to I'd be open to it. >> Thank you. Candidate Gistler. >> Yeah. So, Anoka County runs their elections very well and to trust starts with communication, right, and understanding and having a transparent process. Um, currently you can go on the Inoka County website and there's training information and videos and they will show you all of about the entire election process to try and educate people so they can't they're not afraid of what happens. you know, there's no um fear if you learn. Um I also, you know, so I support continuing this education um and transparency and putting the information out to the voters. Um I believe that we need to encourage people to participate. I've spent many years as an election judge. If you have not and you have an opportunity, I would encourage people to do that because it's a great way to learn the election process because it is very secure and very well managed. Thank you. Okay. How do you approach working with people you disagree with philosophically over policies and directions? And we will start with candidate Gistler. What the first thing that that I do from a even a work perspective when when I have to deal with people, you start to look to say how can we find common ground? How can we find those things that we agree upon? How can we find those things that there's a value share and a trust, right? And you start and build that foundation. So when you get to those points where you don't agree, you have a an ability to have an open and honest conversation to start to say, well, this is one point of view, there's another point of view. And then you work to try and say, how can we get to a common goal? We may have different paths to reach that goal. And that will be a conversation, but at least if we can get everybody on the same page with the common goal, having that shared understanding, I think is the right way to have those dialogues. >> Thank you. Candidate Cook, >> could you repeat the question? I think there's a nuance in there I want to make sure I got. >> Oh, sure. How do you approach working with people you disagree with philosophically over policies and direction? >> Okay, thank you. Um, I I think the the biggest thing is it's it's a nonpartisan office and all you're trying to do is you're trying to do what's best for an noa county. You're trying to make decisions about policies that are going to be best for the residents, the businesses in ana county and and there's and you want to find a path to yes. So you want to discuss with them if you know if they have some real opposition to some part of this policy. You want to find out what it is and you want to try and work it out. You ultimately if you can put together something that everybody supports then you're not necessarily agreeing philosophically on anything but you are agreeing that this particular ordinance or whatever it is you just passed is best for the city. So I I guess that's where I would be on that. I don't know. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Public meetings and online materials are available, but not everyone has the time, technology, or background to follow county issues. How would you reach those residents? And we will start with candidate Gistler. >> Sure. Yes. So having um agendas online, having materials online is great for the people who want to go search that out online. Um we need to have more con ways to meet people where they're at. Whether that means somebody who is a Facebook person where we can have information posted and updated and shared. We can look to have YouTube videos if that person wants to watch videos. You can have mailings. The county has a number of differentformational pieces that are printed and mailed to homes. And it's it's then about having one-on-one dialogue and conversation and being out there in the community to be present and accessible for people to ask questions and start to share information because we have to use lots of different ways to get that information out because people consume the information in different manners. Thank you, Candidate Cook. >> Yeah, thank you. Um, I mean, transparency is a big issue and having all of the agendas and everything online the way that you know that I think that if if they don't have access to that, um, then maybe they're watching the maybe they can watch the meetings and then find out information or find out points that they might um, be concerned about. I what I hear about is that people will watch a council meeting and then they'll call me and they'll go and they'll ask me about a particular item we were discussing because they want a better understanding of it. Um I don't know how to get the information out to them ahead of time because we're digesting the agenda then. Um but I I'm always accessible. I mean we I always have people approach me in stores and at church and everywhere else if they've got questions. I don't know. Um, I'm gonna quit saying I don't know because I think that was about the 50th time I've done that. But, um, I I I'm accessible. I don't know that somebody that is that can't read agendas is on Facebook either. Um, so I I it was kind of a loaded question actually. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Yeah. Okay, this is our last question before we go to the closing statements. The county has recently had significant success working with state legislators who represent Anoka County. How have you worked with state legislators in any current or previous roles? If you haven't done so, what county based concern would you most want to engage in with those legislators? And we will start with candidate Cook. >> Yeah. Um, so as as mayor for 12 years, I was um I've been on the North Metro Mayor's Association and as president of that organization, we would always annually go down and meet with our legislators. Um, back before I was even mayor, we were down advocating at the time for the third lane on Highway 10 that we finally successfully got. Um and and it was always Anoka County has always been a very um bipartisan um representation down there and they've always come together down there to make sure that we're heard. Um, back when we were first looking for the third lane on Highway 10, um, Representative Uglum out of Champlain was a Republican, but made sure that we connected with, uh, when I sat at the table down there testifying, I had Melissa Hortman on one side and Mark Uglum on the other side. Um, so it's very it's a very important part of what you do as an Anoka County Commissioner and that's legislator or representing the county and lobbying for the county at the both the state and the federal. >> Thank you. >> Hopefully that answered the question. >> Candidate Gistler. >> Yeah. um as a a city council member, you regularly meet with the representatives who um are from your city. And so that is just building a relationship and building a dialogue. Um, and I'm I know most all of the people who are currently in office or are actually running for office. Um, and am open to any of the different conversations because it is important because the county's primary role is they are the execution arm of the laws that are enacted at the state level. And so we need to make sure that we've got good dialogue going back and forth with our state legislators to make sure that what they are looking to put in any bill or new law is something that the county can um put into place and make sure that it's done in a way that is efficient and right for the people who are going to be subject to those new laws and being able to have the services delivered. >> Thank you. Okay. Now we have closing statements and you have up to one minute for your closing statement and we will start with candidate Gistler. >> Sure. Thank you. Well, first I want to thank the the League of Women Voters. I know that this is a a big effort to put on every year and I appreciate all of the volunteers that are here tonight from our moderator to our timers to our greeters. Um because this is one way that we can help make sure that the voters are informed. Who are your candidates? what are they thinking about? So, I hope everybody watching, you know, learned some things tonight. Um, but if there's more questions, you can reach out to me. So, Gistler for Anoka County, whether that's my website, um, at Gmail, on Facebook, Instagram. So, lots of different ways to get a hold of me and I'm happy to have any sort of conversation with you that you have questions. Um, don't forget primary elections are August 11th. And with that, this is a nonpartisan race, so please don't forget to turn your ballot over and look at the nonpartisan races on the back. And I hope that I can um earn your vote. Thank you, >> Candidate Cook. >> Thank you again. My name is Jerry Cook and I would love to earn your vote to be the next county commissioner from District 4. Thanks to the League of Women Voters and QCTV for hosting this forum. Beyond my elected and professional experience, my lifetime of community involvement gives me a broad perspective on the needs of our region. My de Britz and local service include 28 years with the Rapids Rotary Club, serving twice as club president, former chairman of the In Noa Ramsey Community College Foundation board, former chair of the North Metro Mayors Association Board of Directors, current chair of the Twin Cities Gateway Visitors Bureau, and currently serving on the local board and executive committee for the Ina County Joint Law Enforcement Council. This combination of 38 years of private sector business experience, executive mayoral leadership, and extensive civic involvement ensures I can step into the role of county commissioner on day one to deliver highquality, efficient county services. My website will be going up shortly and you will be able to find me at jerrycook.com, but currently you can get me with email at juryjerrycook.com. Um, thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you both. And again, thank you candidates for speaking to the voters and about issues and for running for an NOA County Commissioner District 4. Thank you to QCTV for their video production and the Anoka Blaine Rapids League of Women Voters for hosting this forum. I want to remind viewers again that the views expressed in this forum are those of the candidates and not those of League of Women Voters. and also every candidate was invited to this candidate form. The ele the primary election is August 11th and early voting has opened. It started at city halls and at the county. Thank you viewers for your interest in being informed voters. If you need to register to vote or update your registration, you can do that online at vote411.org. If you're interested in the League of Women Voters, visit our web page at lwvabcn.org. Have a good evening.