Minnetonka City Council Candidate: Bonnie Burton

Editor's note: This week we feature candidates running for the Minnetonka City Council in the . Four days this week, we will feature two of the eight candidates, according to alphabetical order of their last names.

The election will fill the vacant City Council Member, At Large Seat B, left vacant when former Council Member Amber Greves resigned the position in December.

BONNIE BURTON

Minnetonka Patch: What qualifications do you have that will make you an effective Minnetonka City Council member?

Bonnie Burton:

• Minnetonka resident for 27 years

• B.A. Psychology, University of Minnesota

• MBA with Finance & Strategic Planning concentrations, University of Minnesota

• 20+ years municipal government experience working with Minnesota cities

• Multi-million dollar budget responsibilities

• Election coordination responsibilities

• Metropolitan Council Inflow & Infiltration Task Force, 2004-2005

• Minnesota Government Finance Officers Association State Representative, 2005-2006

• State Delegate (CD3) to the DFL convention, 2008

• Candidate for the Minnetonka City Council, At-Large Seat B

My background includes approximately 20 years of working with municipal governments; most recently as Finance Director for the City of Shorewood (2000-2010). Shorewood is also a Lake Minnetonka community with some similar issues and concerns, and as such, I’m familiar with the balancing act required for cities to provide the essential services that residents have every right to expect, in a cost-effective manner.

During this time, I had the opportunity to observe many different types of city council members–some good, some not so much. The most effective council members work cooperatively with their constituents, city staff, and outside others. They take actions and develop policies that benefit the majority, at the greatest value to all, in a non-partisan manner. They are willing to make difficult decisions; they give of their time and resources; they represent the city positively at a local, county, and state level.

I believe I am the best qualified candidate for this position because of my background and experience, which demonstrate my commitment, interest, motivation, abilities, energy, and desire to serve as the Minnetonka City Council At-Large Seat B member.

Patch: What is the biggest issue for the city of Minnetonka? Why?

Burton: Minnetonka has become a ‘mature’ city, much like a large percentage of its population. It is no longer a ‘teenage’ city at the height of its growth spurt, with rampant development. Minnetonka is now faced with the challenge of maintaining the special attributes that make it home to all of us; decline and renewal are factors that will play an important role in City Council decisions.  It will be especially important to find a balance between the discriminating demands of population, the rising cost of public services, its parks and trails and recreational services, and its shopping districts and businesses.

To that end, the city has weathered recent difficult economic times well. I believe this is due in part, to the leadership of City Manager John Gunyou and his diligent staff. Mr. Gunyou recently announced his intention to retire, and the City Council will be faced with the difficult challenge of finding a replacement for this excellent City Manager.

Patch: What is current Minnetonka leadership doing well? What could be better?

Burton: Doing well:

• Responsible City financial management – 2012 tax increase less than 1 percent.
• Upper Minnehaha Creek Park area - a wonderful example of government leadership and initiative that will benefit City residents many generations into the future.
• Bren Road/Hwy 69 interchange – A responsible partnership with MnDOT and the City of Minnetonka, who is acting as the fiscal agent to manage the project.  

Could be better:

• More female/minority representation on the City Council – Our current City Council composition includes only one female (who has resigned) amongst a group of seven; and further, seems to lack ethnic diversity or minority representation. Does the Minnetonka City Council have the aura of a ‘good old boys’ club?

Patch: How will you get input from your constituents?

Burton: I welcome all input, in any manner they would like to contact me! The city periodically conducts surveys to determine residents’ thoughts and opinions;  these surveys are valuable and important, and I encourage participation whenever possible. Personally, I like e-mail, but telephone calls, hand-written notes, and face-to-face meetings are all effective communication tools.

Patch: Give us a brief background of yourself.

Burton: Live in Minnetonka with my husband Edward Soltis and have been a Minnetonka resident for 27 years. Collectively we have 4 children and 5 grandchildren; my grown sons attended Hopkins Schools. I have an MBA (Master’s Degree in Business Administration) from the University of Minnesota, with concentrations in Finance and Strategic Planning. I was employed in the municipal government finance field for more than 20 years and currently work in Minnetonka as a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Burnet in their Minnetonka office.    

• Served on the Metropolitan Council Inflow & Infiltration Task Force, 2004-2005

• Minnesota Government Finance Officers Association State Representative, 2005 -2006

• State Delegate (CD3) to the DFL convention, 2008

My hobbies include: baking–a notable achievement was winning the King Arthur Great Cake contest at the Minnesota State Fair last year my blue-ribbon coconut cake! 

I also love to ballroom dance; my husband and I enjoy participating in amateur ballroom dance competitions and volunteering for ballroom dance demo’s at various locations, including Senior Centers.