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Jordan, Minnesota

December 2, 2008 • (952) 492-2224
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News » County Politics

Q&A with Tony Albright (county commissioner candidate)

Submitted by Mathias Baden on September 4, 2008 - 7:17am.
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Tony Albright of Spring Lake Township, whose name will be on the ballot during the Scott County Commissioner District 2 primary election Sept. 9, took some of his time to answer these questions from the Jordan Independent:


JI: Why are you running for county commissioner?

TA: Because of my involvement with other civic-minded organizations, I have felt led to seek this position. My background in business, with a strong emphasis on conservative fiscal accountability, has given evidence to others who have strongly encouraged me to step up to this opportunity.


JI: What are the top challenges facing Scott County and how should they be addressed?

TA: Scott County is facing a future of financial uncertainty. Budget deficits loom large that must be confronted. However, the fundamental responsibilities of the county must still be supported.


JI: What has the county done right? Where can it improve?

TA: The county has done much to promote the vision of how it should position itself for the next ten to fifteen years. The improvement would be in addressing the short-term tactics of how we still get there. We have a responsibility to our basic transportation infrastructure that must be addressed, as well as a necessary responsibility to promote business development that will create new jobs, and therefore increase the economic vitality for all.


JI: Why would you make a difference on the county board? What do you bring to the table?

TA: The difference I bring is about perspective. I believe that the fundamental responsibility of the county board of commissioners is to provide for the people only those functions that cannot be performed by individuals or private organizations. My background in finance, as well as serving on other boards, has given me the experience to ask the tough questions and to make the tough choices.


JI: How should the county resolve a potential multimillion dollar budget hole?

TA: Fiscal restraint is the fundamental responsibility of any board. I believe a competitive free-market approach to supporting the needs of the county can provide cost savings without impairing the delivery of vital services. Additionally, the budget should be constructed from the bottom up with every program subject to scrutiny, rather than focusing upon what happened last year with a goal of minimizing spending increases. State mandates without administrative funding must also be addressed.


JI: What steps have you taken to learn more about county operations? Have you met with county staff or commissioners to expand your understanding of the county?

TA: Over the course of the last several weeks, I have met with a number of the county’s senior leadership team and commissioners of the county, as well as reviewed the 2020 and 2030 comp plans. This was a must in order to understand the problems more fully that we all face in this county.


JI: Did the county make the right decision in opposing the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community’s application to put 752 acres of land into tax-exempt trust? Should the county have joined the city of Shakopee in a lawsuit to fight the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ ruling, which was in favor of the tribe? In the future, should the county oppose land trust applications?

TA: Yes, I believe the decision to oppose the application was appropriate, and I also believe that the county should have joined the city of Shakopee in a lawsuit to fight the Bureau of Indian Affairs on this ruling. There has been no economic viability issue presented that can support this request or any additional application. Letting this decision stand would have very destructive implications to our county’s economy.


JI: What do you think of the county’s update to its comprehensive land use plan and, in particular, the new direction for rural development? The plan lays out a long-term vision for what unincorporated sections of the county will eventually urbanize, while providing greater flexibility for interim development in those areas.

TA: I think the work done by the board and staff was very thorough and recognized the need for structure in planning the growth of our county. However, urbanization should not be promoted at the expense of our rural heritage. We have incredibly valuable agricultural economy that deserves our continued support. We need to finish the occupancy on the numerous yet-to-start developments already on the books before we think about encroaching on any more farm land.

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JI: Do you plan to continue your current jobs and activities if elected to the county board? How will you make that work? Do you plan to serve on committees outside of the typical board meetings?

TA: Yes, I believe maintaining my current job enhances my service to the county by bringing new ideas, concepts and relevant vision to the discussions of the board. As a partner in my firm, I have the support of my colleagues who will support me while I am fulfilling the duties of county commissioner. I do intend to serve on committees outside of the typical board meetings.


JI: Should Scott County commissioners reduce their pay to help with the county’s budget problems? If so, by how much? (Current salaries are $47,010, before per diems, which typically total several thousand per year.)

TA: As a commissioner, it should be the rule, not the exception that their salary would also be under scrutiny as we face budget problems within the county. Per diem and benefit packages don’t make sense. This is an elected position where it should be a privilege to serve.


JI: Current Commissioner Bob Vogel made a personal pledge not to serve more than two terms? Do you plan to do the same?

TA: I offer to serve at the pleasure of the residents of Scott County until they say otherwise.


JI: Given the current state of the economy, should the board approve any more salary increases to staff, beyond what’s already been promised?

TA: If people are compensated fairly in comparison to industry norms for their position, and staff members see that their work is appreciated and has value, then the consideration of more salary increases to the staff by the board is unjustified.


JI: Did you agree with the county’s creation of a $5 wheelage fee? Should the county continue to put an additional $1 million per year into its road budget?

TA: The needs our transportation system are great, and we must prioritize based upon usage. I agree with the $5 wheelage fee, because it asks of those who use the roads most to help pay for their continued upkeep. One million dollars per year is barely keeping up with the demands placed on our road system, it needs to be increased.


JI: As a county commissioner, you are responsible for overseeing millions of taxpayer dollars. What is your personal credit rating?

TA: My personal credit rating is excellent. I have never filed for bankruptcy, and I use the same financial disciplines within my own family as I would practice on behalf of all who call Scott County home.


JI: Scott County has been buying up property for future parks. Do you agree or disagree with the county's philosophy?


TA: I agree with the desire to provide parks. I disagree, however, with the process that has been used to purchase them. As an example, in the recent Cedar Lake purchase, without too much trouble, we could have had a new park and a new residential development that would have provided ongoing property tax revenues that could have been used (again, as example) to hire new deputies and new cars to increase our law enforcement capabilities.


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