Committed Service

I have been dedicated to public service for the past 30+ years. It’s part of who I am. Being elected as a Carver County Commissioner in 2020 allowed me to continue my service career. I am up for re-election, due to redistricting and am looking forward to continuing this service!

I serve on multiple committees for the County and am the current Vice Chair of the Carver County Board of Commissioners, and former Chair of the Carver County Planning Commission. In addition, I am a member of the Association of MN Counties (“AMC”) Public Safety Policy committee, an AMC Voting Delegate, and an alternate to the AMC Board of Directors. I also serve as a Board liaison to the Carver County Community Development Agency (“CDA”) and Planning Commission. Serving on various Joint Ditch boards is also part of my role as a County Commissioner.

Please read the following Q&A from different publications during the 2022 Carver County Commissioner Campaign. 

Thanks for your support. Let me know if YOU have any questions!

Contact John P. Fahey for Commissioner District 5

Carver County Commissioners Candidate Forum – September 29, 2022
Jointly sponsored by the League of Women Voters and Southwest Metro Chamber of Commerce

The video is long and takes a while to load, so please be patient, it’s worth it! The introduction starts at around the 5 minute mark.

Waconia Patriot

John P. Fahey for Commissioner 09/20/22

Question 1: What prompted you seek election (or re-election) to office?

I was first elected to the Carver County Board in 2020 and I am currently serving as Vice Chair.  Being able to represent District 5 and all the residents of Carver County has been very challenging and rewarding.  As the fastest growing county in the State, we are faced with increasing challenges to manage this growth.  As a current County Commissioner with additional experience gained over the last 21 months, I would like to continue to utilize my extensive experience, background in public service and leadership to serve the County and Citizens of District 5.

Question 2: What is your long-term vision for the County?

Transportation: Oversee the completion of Highway 212 from Cologne to NYA, with a bridge at Bongards.  Growth & Land Use: Preserve the County’s rich agriculture history.  I support the one building eligibility per 40 acres, the County’s main land use policy. In addition, I support the orderly annexation agreements with the Townships and Cities, to help manage the growth within the cities.  As the fastest growing County in the State – people are moving here, building homes, raising their families, and starting businesses. This is made possible in part by a strong supportive Public Safety model, which I support.

Question 3: If elected, how would you handle balancing economic development with maintaining a sense of community?  

As the current vice chair of the County Commissioners and liaison to the County’s Community Development Agency, I strongly support the CDA’s Mission to provide affordable housing opportunities while fostering economic development within the Communities. Economic development encompasses many facets, and development is a key to the success of Carver County.  We need to continue the collaborative relationships with Cities and Chambers within the County. These relationships and partnerships have helped fuel the economic growth within the County while maintaining our sense of community. CC is a great place to live, work, raise a family and start a business.

Question 4: What do you believe is the best way to address aging infrastructure and the funding to replace/update that infrastructure?

With a planned budgetary approach.  I feel the County is doing a great job managing not only our roads and bridges but also their buildings, parks and trails.  With foresight and a budgetary process that includes an inventory system of all the County’s assets, we can track the maintenance schedules, depreciation, and usage.  With this information we can make educated repairs or replace an asset. By budgeting properly and investing in our infrastructure continually we should be able to maintain that infrastructure.

Question 5: What in your background/experience best qualifies you for office? 

I have been dedicated to public service for the past 30+ years.  As a prior member of the NYA Planning and Economic Commissions, to being a School Board member for District #108, Mayor of NYA, and serving on the County’s Planning and Board of Adjustments, Park and CDA Boards, I bring an extensive knowledge base regarding policies, procedures, and an understanding of complex budgets. With my educational background, dedication to public service, small business owner experience, as well as my professional career in banking, provides me with the skills and qualifications needed. I would appreciate your vote of confidence again on Nov. 8^th.

Waconia Chamber of Commerce

John P. Fahey for Commissioner 09/23/22

Questions for Carver County Commissioner (District 4 & 5)

1. Tell us about yourself and why you want the job of Carver County Commissioner.

Hello, I am John P. Fahey, currently serving as the Carver County Commissioner representing District 5.  I am a lifelong resident of CC and was first elected to the County Board in 2020.  Being able to represent District 5, which includes the Cities of Carver, Cologne, NYA, Hamburg and New Germany and the following Townships: San Francisco, Dahlgren, Hancock, Benton, Young America, Camden and Laketown (After 12/31/22 – Laketown Township will become part of District 4) has been very rewarding and challenging.

I am a former School Board Member, former Mayor of NYA and currently serve as the Vice Chair of the Carver County Board of Commissioners.  As the fastest growing county in the State, we are faced with increasing challenges to manage this growth.  As your current District 5 Commissioner and with the additional experience gained over the last 20 months, I would like to lead and help manage this growth. In addition, I would like to continue to utilize my extensive experience, background in public service and leadership to serve the Citizens of Carver County for another four years.

2. What’s going well and what specially do you seek to change?

Carver County is doing well in many areas and is the fastest growing County in the State and the healthiest!  The County also ranks the 5^th healthiest nationally.  With our Public Safety model,  economic development, and transportation infrastructure, we are well poised for Carver County to continue to be a  great place to live, build a home, raise a family, start a business and enjoy all of its amenities!

As a County Commissioner I continue to support Sherriff Kamerud and his department in protecting the residents of the County and supporting a strong Public Safety model.

As a previous member of the Carver County Community Development Agency and now serving as a board liaison, I see first-hand the work the CDA is performing to provide affordable housing opportunities and fostering Community and Economic Development in the County.

The County roads and bridges infrastructure is solid.  We continue to allocate the necessary funds to maintain a quality transportation system.  Highway 212 is an example of this continued investment and excellent working relationship with MnDot.  We are excited to have the next section of Highway 212 from Cologne to NYA fully funded with additional funds for a bridge at the County Road 51 and 212 intersections (Bongard’s intersection).

Seek to change:   Further transportation changes are needed.  There is an opportunity to upgrade Highway 5. We are working hard to support and influence other local, state and federal representatives in securing additional funding for Highway 5 through our lobbying efforts.  With the use of the County’s Sales Tax, as in the Highway 212 Project, the County was able to not only lead the project, but to elevate the project to a higher priority. I feel we can replicate this effort with the Highway 5 project.

I would also like to hear more from Waconia Chamber members, District 5 residents and get their feedback on areas of suggested improvements.

3. Lake Waconia Regional Park is and will continue to be important to our community. Additionally, the Lake Waconia Event Center has been an active part of the region’s assets in our community.  What is the future of this building? 

As most of you are aware, the County has completed a tremendous amount of work on redesigning the beach area and installing a new public boat launch. In June of this year, we, the County Board, provided the authorization to award contracts for the new Waterfront Service Center building. I supported this motion.  This estimated $8.7 million dollar project is scheduled for construction starting this fall with a completion date in late summer of 2023.  We are excited to move forward with this new complex and with the recent improvements to Coney Island, I feel the Lake Waconia Regional Park will continue to be a valuable asset to the Waconia Community and for all of Carver County’s residents to enjoy!

The future of the existing Lake Waconia Event Center building continues to be under discussion for future plans. In the meantime, the County will continue to consider using the building for applicable usage – example, the County utilized the building for multiple County COVID-19 public health initiatives.

4. What will tourism look like in Carver County in the next year, 3 years, 5 years? And how does this impact Waconia.

I feel the Chambers, Cities and the County will need to continue to work together to promote tourism within the County.  The County has a tremendous amount to offer.  We continue to support ag related businesses within the townships, for example, the three wineries in Waconia.  This partnership has helped the Chambers and these businesses thrive.

The County CDA continues to help and promote tourism, but I feel we can improve this process with additional resources allocated to the CDA budget.

The partnership with the County and the Chambers is key. Chambers, and their membership, in general, have more of a direct influence and impact on tourism initiatives.

Looking forward to the next three to five years, the opening of the Waterfront Service Center next year will have a huge impact on the Waconia area and tourism.  This attraction will serve as a hub for the possibility of expanded meeting space, possible concert venues, festivals and/or other events.  With the continuing development of Coney Island, the Historic Andrew Peterson Farm, and Waconia chamber membership businesses, the next 3 -5 years are going to be very exciting for all of the Waconia area, the County as a whole, and drawing Statewide tourists.

5. Carver County is one of the fastest growing counties in the state. What do you hope to see the landscape of economic development look like in the future.

We will constantly be challenged to handle the growth and economic development in the County.  As the cities grow with utilizing orderly annexation with the townships, the growth and economic development will remain centered around the cities. This is where I would like to see additional economic development (businesses and housing) take place.

With the one building eligibility per 40 acres land use policy, the majority of the agricultural land should remain in an agricultural status. This land use policy, which I support, helps maintain the rich agriculture history of the county while balancing economic development in the Cities.

With the help of the Waconia Chamber and its membership of business owners, in conjunction with the County, we can work together in a collaborative way for further economic development.

An interesting fact:  Caver County’s overall tax base is projected to grow from $16 Billion in 2021 to over an estimated $20 Billion in 2023. The average home value is now currently $450,000.  We are growing in population and economically – it’s an exciting time to be part of Carver County!

SW News Media

John P. Fahey for Commissioner 09/28/22

Why do you want to serve as County Commissioner for District 5?
I have been dedicated to public service for the past 30+ years. It’s part of my family history and part of who I am. I want to continue this service, so am running for re-election again. I was first elected to the Carver County Board in 2020 and I am currently serving as Vice Chair. Being able to represent District 5 and all the residents of Carver County has been very challenging and rewarding. As the fastest growing county in the State, we are faced with increasing challenges to manage this growth. As a current County Commissioner with the additional experience gained over the last 20 months, I would like to continue to utilize my extensive experience, background in public service and leadership to serve the County and Citizens of District 5.

What are the top three items in your platform and how would you address them?
1.) Transportation: Overseeing the completion of Highway 212 from Cologne to NYA including a bridge at the intersection of County Road 51 and 212, at the Bongard’s intersection. This is a huge initiative for all of Carver County and specifically for my District 5.
2.) Growth & Land Use: Continue to preserve the rich agriculture history of Carver County. I support the one building eligibility per 40 acres, currently Carver County’s main land use policy. I also support the orderly annexation agreements with the Townships and Cities, to help manage this growth within the cities and their established infrastructure.
3.) Public Safety: Carver County has ranked nationally has one of the happiest and healthiest counties in the State and Nation. The growth numbers are an example of people who want to move here, build a home, raise their families, start a business, and enjoy everything Carver County has to offer. All of this is made possible in part by a strong supportive Public Safety model. Sherriff Kamerud and his department do an incredible job serving and protecting the residents of Carver County. I will continue to support our current Public Safety polices and staff.

Without putting down your fellow candidate, what sets you apart from them?
Experience, Education and Leadership! I was a member of the NYA Planning and Economic Development Commissions in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. Being on these Commissions provided a base of knowledge in understanding variances, conditional use permits, policies and procedures. As a School Board member for 6 years in the ‘90s helped me learn and understand larger complex budgets, large union and non-union employee bases and provide leadership to a growing and financially challenged school district. Being Mayor of NYA was rewarding and challenging as we managed our way out of a recession during 2009 – 2011. Serving as Mayor help me understand complex budgets, policies and procedures and exposed me to the partnerships that cities have with the County. I have served on the County’s Planning Commission, Board of Adjustments, Park Board and CDA Board. In additional I now have 20 months of actual Commissioner experience. I also have a BS & MBA degree.

Describe your leadership style.
My leadership style is one of listening first, doing the necessary due diligence and then providing a clear defined direction. My approach is collaborative and one of partnering with those involved.

Why should residents vote for you?
Being a lifelong resident of Carver County, coupled with a dedication to public service, my experience being a small business owner, as well as my
professional career in banking, along with my educational degrees, I have earned your vote of confidence in the past and would appreciate your vote once again in re-electing me as your Commissioner in District 5.

Have you ever been convicted of a gross misdemeanor or higher, or been involved in a personal or business bankruptcy or foreclosure? No.

League of Women Voters’ 2022 Questionnaire

John P. Fahey for Commissioner 09/29/22

If elected, what will your top three priorities be and why?

I am currently serving as Vice Chair of the Carver County (CC) Board of Commissioners. 1) Transportation: Overseeing the completion of Highway 212 from Cologne to NYA with a bridge at the Bongard’s intersection. 2) Growth & Land Use: I support the one building eligibility per 40 acres, currently CC’s main land use policy, to preserve the rich ag history of CC. I support the orderly annexation agreements between Townships and Cities. 3) Public Safety: Carver County is the fastest growing County! The growth numbers are due to people who want to move here, build a home, raise their families, and start a business. A strong Public Safety policy is part of this growth and I support the current policy and staff.

What actions would you take, if any, to address affordability of housing in your county?

The County’s Community Development Agency (CDA) mission is to provide affordable housing opportunities and fostering Community and Economic Development. As a Commissioner, I serve as the Board’s liaison to the CDA.  The need and demand for affordable housing is real within the County and I am a supporter and advocate to help meets those needs.  Recently as part of the County’s American Rescue Plan (APR) fund allocation, Carver County allocated $5.90 million of those funds for Housing Support.

How would you ensure election laws do not create barriers to Minnesotans’ freedom to vote while also ensuring safe and secure elections?  

The State continues to do a great job of managing safe and secure elections.  As a CC Commissioner, I feel Public Trust is a key component.  The County’s voter turnout in 2020 was 93.8%, one of the highest in the State and Nation.  CC has been 100% accurate on previous post-election reviews. The County is consistently one of the first 3 counties to report 100% of their precincts results. These reporting results are due to the County’s training with City and Townships election clerks and judges.

What do you see as the biggest challenges to mental health and social services in your county, and how would you address them?

Accessibility and awareness are some of the current challenges facing CC residents today. I support the vision of our County of being a caring place where community and individuals can be safe, feel secure and lead healthy lives.  27% of CC’s tax dollars are allocated to Health and Human Services.  By providing these various programs and services along with a consistent message and outreach, all in need can become aware of the availability of these various programs.

If there were to be budget cuts during your term, what are the most essential county services that you would advocate to preserve. Public Safety (Sherriff’s budget), Health and Human Services and Public Works.  27% of CC’s budget is the Sheriff’s.  Public Safety plays a vital role in CC being the fastest growing county.   We want a safe place to live, build a home, raise a family and start a business!   27% of CC’s budget is Health and Human Services. These budgets provide critical services and programs to CC residents in need.  15% of the CC’s budget is Public Works Depart.  Great roads and infrastructure are important.