This is something I feel strongly about. Existing residents should not be paying the bill for new development. Developers who benefit from growth should be responsible for the infrastructure and services their projects require. Roads, drainage, utilities, and other development-related costs should be borne by the developments that create the demand. Growth must pay for growth.

I support development, but growth must be properly planned and should not leave existing residents paying for infrastructure that new development requires. Developers should be responsible for infrastructure directly associated with their projects, including roads, drainage, servicing and required upgrades, through legally authorized agreements and charges. Infrastructure improvement that benefit the entire municipality should be shared fairly, based on the benefits received and applicable legislation. Growth should benefit West St. Paul, not create new problems for existing residents.

New development should pay its fair share of the infrastructure costs it creates: roads, drainage, traffic improvements, and other services required to support that growth. Existing taxpayers should not be left subsidizing new development. At the same time, infrastructure that benefits the entire municipality should be shared fairly. I also want to focus on commercial development, which can strengthen our tax base and help reduce the pressure on residential taxpayers.