Q&A: Bill Pulkrabek

Bill Pulrkabek bio:

Age: 42

Occupation: Real estate agent and small business owner

Family: single

Education: Master’s degree in public affairs from Humphrey Institiute, two BAs from the University of Minnesota in economics and political science

Civic involvement: Past president of my local chamber of commerce; past vice-president of Co-Action Academic Resources

The Bulletin asked candidates the following questions:

1. Why are you running for a seat on the Washington County Board of Commissioners?

2. What are the most pertinent issues the county is facing today and how do you plan to tackle them?

3. What is the best option, in your opinion, for solving projected traffic problems along the Gateway Corridor?

4. Woodbury is a growing community. What will you do as a board member to manage growth in a fiscally responsible manner?

5. What do you consider to be the county’s core services and how would you preserve them – by raising the levy, cutting other services or a combination of the two?

Here are Bill Pulkrabek's responses:

1. To continue to look out for taxpayers. 

2. Keeping property taxes low has been and will continue to be my number one issue. Washington County has the lowest county property tax rate in the metro area. I will continue to lead the effort to keep it that way. 

3. Additional highway lanes and more busing to downtown Saint Paul and

Minneapolis. 

4. The county only sets the comprehensive plans and zoning for townships, not cities. Hence, Woodbury's future is, and should be, in its own hands. The county will continue to partner with Woodbury on transportation and parkland issues where it is appropriate.  

5. About 85 percent of what the county does is mandated by the state of Minnesota. We have little discretionary spending. I strongly prefer spending reductions over raising taxes. It is not always a zero-sum game however. For example, the county board recently restored library hours to six days a week by directing staff to re-allocate money from other unnecessary spending

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