Marissa Carroll

Economy Anoka has something rare: a genuine small-town character, an historic downtown, and a beautiful riverfront along the Rum River. Supporting locally owned businesses, celebrating our history, and pursuing responsible development makes our city a place people choose to live, visit, and linger. Successes like the Social District show what's possible when the city embraces creative ideas. Anoka is also now updating its 2050 Comprehensive Plan — a once-in-a-decade opportunity to set the vision for our land use, housing, transportation, and natural resources. You have a voice in shaping Anoka's future! Learn more. Infrastructure / Transportation Elegant architecture in Greek and Gothic revivalist homes, historical landmarks, and sites that tell a story — these are Anoka's origins. The former State Hospital campus is a prime example: its restored cottages now serve as home to programs like Haven for Heroes. The Minnesota Legislature recently approved 500,000 in funding to support Haven for Heroes and preservation efforts on the campus. I will champion policies that protect landmarks like these and preserve the character of our neighborhoods. Taxes / Budget Property taxes are rising across the county, and Anoka families are feeling it. I want to keep taxes low by growing the city's tax base, which means smart land redevelopment, attracting businesses that generate revenue, and managing city finances with discipline. Anoka's municipally owned electric utility is already keeping rates well below what Xcel Energy charges, and its profits are being reinvested in parks and infrastructure. We can build on that model to find creative revenue streams, hold the line on spending, and ensure every dollar serves residents first. Criminal Justice / Public Safety Anoka deserves to be safe. Safety works best when the right person responds to the right call. I support hiring a dedicated community social worker to handle mental health crises, welfare checks, and non-violent situations that don't require a police response. This frees officers to focus on what police do best, gets people the care they actually need, and stretches our public safety budget further. Keeping our neighborhoods strong means investing in both enforcement and care.