Greetings, Neighbors,

I hope you have been enjoying our unpredictable fall weather, 90 degrees one day and 56 just two days later! Fortunately, the fall colors have been beautiful.

A Time to Say Thank You

As I shared in my January message, I will not be seeking reelection. After eight years as Mayor, preceded by service on the City Council and Planning Commission, this is my final newsletter message to you. I leave office proud of what Sunfish Lake has accomplished and confident in the community’s future.

Serving this community has been a privilege. Because our elected officials and Planning Commissioners serve without compensation, and our small city relies heavily on volunteers, I am especially grateful to everyone who gives their time, expertise, and energy to make Sunfish Lake a wonderful place to live.

To my colleagues on the City Council: Thank you for your collaboration and shared commitment to doing what is best for our residents. Meaningful progress depends on working together, and I have appreciated your partnership.

• Mike Hovey
• Shannon Nelson
• Tom Hendrickson
• Claire Noble

To our exceptional staff and professional partners: Your expertise and dedication have been essential to our work. Thank you for helping turn priorities into results and for supporting the City throughout my tenure.

• Christy Wilcox, City Administrator
• Char Stark, City Treasurer
• Kori Land, City Attorney
• Chief Brian Sturgeon, West St. Paul Police
• Chief Dan Johnson, Mendota Heights Fire Department
• Lori Johnson, City Planner
• Justin Messner, City Engineer
• Jim Nayes, City Forester
• Dennis Schilling and the Building Inspection team
• Steve Kleist, Septic System Inspector
• Courtney Selstad, Recycling Coordinator

To our Planning Commissioners: In a predominantly residential community like ours, the Planning Commission plays a vital role in shaping the City’s future and supporting the Council’s work. Thank you for your thoughtful deliberation and dedicated service.

• Kevin Wu, Chairperson
• Ginny Beckett
• Jeannine Nayes
• John Oakman

To our volunteers: A small city like Sunfish Lake could not function as effectively without residents willing to contribute their time and knowledge. Thank you to:

• Dr. Joel Arney, Sunfish Lake’s representative on the Executive Committee of the Northern Dakota County Cable Commission.
• John Oakman, Scott Spaeth, and Jim Stowell, our water-sampling volunteers who help keep our lakes healthy.
• Dr. Dan Halvorsen, our resident representative to the Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization.
• Liz Lee, co-chair of the Musser Park Restoration Committee with our City Forester, Jim Nayes.
• Gretchen and Erik Funk, alternate representatives on the Airport Noise Oversight Committee.
• Our election judges, Ginny Beckett, Patricia Penovich, Francie Sullivan, Renee Schmitt, Bob Anderson, Jeannine Nayes, Shelley Little, Barb Tani, and Jan Nielsen, whose service helps ensure that our elections run smoothly and our democracy functions as it should.

A special thank-you to Pastor Mike Verway and the congregation of First Calvary Baptist Church for generously providing a home for City Hall at no cost to residents for the past six years. Their generosity extends well beyond the use of the building: they also set up tables and chairs for our meetings and make the church available for voting by Inver Grove Heights and Sunfish Lake residents. Mike believes in giving back to the community, and he and his congregation exemplify that spirit. I am deeply grateful.

I also want to thank Mayor Dave Napier and City Manager Nate Burkett of West St. Paul for their excellent partnership throughout my term, including the provision of essential police services and, more recently, building inspection services. It has been a pleasure working with them.

A Special Thank You to Mike Hovey

Mike, our longest-serving Council member, has been an invaluable source of institutional knowledge and perspective. With his father having also served as Sunfish Lake’s Mayor, Mike brings a deep understanding of our history and the values on which our community was founded. His steady guidance and years of dedication have helped preserve what makes Sunfish Lake special.

On behalf of the Council and our residents, thank you, Mike, for your many years of service. You will be missed, and I wish you all the best in your next chapter.

Thank you, Residents

Finally, thank you to all the residents who have reached out to me over the years, with encouragement, questions, concerns, and constructive criticism. Your perspectives and suggestions have helped the City improve. Public service is most effective when residents engage, share their views, and hold their local government accountable. I have valued those conversations and the opportunity to serve you.

That community spirit was evident at the October 13 Council meeting, when residents gathered for the presentation of the Musser Park Restoration Project. This is an exciting opportunity to enhance our largest park through the generosity of the Minnesota Land Trust. The project will take years to complete, and the Land Trust’s investment reflects the importance of having an engaged community committed to maintaining the improvements for the long term. Thank you to everyone who has shown interest and support.

Property Taxes: Providing Some Relief

As shared in our September 12 email to residents, Dakota County is increasing its property taxes by nearly 19% next year, and the school district is expected to increase its portion by a similar amount. To help offset these increases, the Council voted to use $300,000 in surplus funds to reduce the Sunfish Lake portion of residents’ property taxes. We hope this decision will provide some relief from the overall increase in property tax bills.

Looking Ahead

Sunfish Lake will experience a significant leadership transition, with three Council seats changing hands in 2026. Steve Bulach left earlier this year, and Mike Hovey and I will conclude our terms on December 31.

After eight years as Mayor and my earlier service on the Planning Commission and City Council, I am grateful for the opportunity to have contributed to this community. I am confident Sunfish Lake is in good hands. The incoming Council will bring its own perspectives and priorities while continuing the work of preserving and improving our community for the benefit of all residents.

Thank you for your trust, your engagement, and the opportunity to serve. It has been an honor.

Warm regards,

Mayor Dan