Karla Bigham on Issues

Karla consistently puts people first and makes sure their voices are heard. Improving the lives of our residents is always her top priority.

Fiscal Responsibility

Karla will work to keep county property taxes low, invest in our community priorities and be a good steward of public funds. Maximizing the value of federal and state funds that are allocated to Washington County will help ensure essential services are being effectively provided to our residents. Washington County has maintained a AAA bond rating for several years saving residents money on the financing of critical infrastructure projects. Additionally, Washington County has received the “Triple Crown” of Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Associations for many years demonstrating an excellence in transparency. As Chair of the Finance and Audit Committees for Washington County, Karla is actively engaged with fiscal transparency and accountability.

Infrastructure

Karla supports investments in local roads, bridges, and public transit to improve safety and ease congestion. Karla was able to secure upcoming road improvements throughout South Washington County for CSAH 18, CSAH 19, CSAH 22, CSAH 38, CSAH 39, County Road 74, and CSAH 13. Karla will collaborate with local partners to identify opportunities for successful public transportation projects such as expanded circulator service throughout South Washington County, additional regular bus service, and the Red Rock Corridor BRT. Karla was able to ensure that $18.5 million worth of improvements were approved for the Park Grove Library to meet the needs of our growing community. Karla sought improvements to Ravine Park, St. Croix Bluff Park, and Point Douglas Park (2026) to enhance the outdoor experience of residents of Washington County.

Housing/Economic Development

Karla will strengthen relationships between local businesses and the county to foster economic growth in Washington County. Karla is a member of the Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce. Karla is committed to being part of the solution to address staffing shortages in critical areas of our workforce. Karla was able to get a prevailing wage policy approved for Washington County infrastructure projects. Karla is proud of the work of the Washington County Community Development Agency with their efforts of making homeownership more affordable by offering first time homeownership and home improvement loan programs. 2025 brought Bluestem Apartments in Cottage Grove and Red Rock Square II Apartments in Newport, which are new affordable housing options for our residents. Washington County also has its first Emergency Housing Services Building in Stillwater to address those experiencing housing insecurity. 

Mental Health and Chemical Health Services

There continues to be an increased demand for additional mental health and chemical health services in Washington County. Karla is proud to have supported funding for an embedded social worker for a co-response program with Cottage Grove Police Department to assist residents in crisis and for the launch of a mobile mental health van to meet residents’ needs across the county.

In addition, Washington County established an Opioid Settlement Council, consisting of trusted stakeholders, to provide guidance and leadership for the county in addressing the epidemic. Washington County partners with the Steve Rummler HOPE Network (SRHN) to host Naloxone Access Points (NAPs) across the county where anyone can pick up free naloxone kits and fentanyl test strips. 

Environment Preservation

Karla joined her colleagues to commence implementing Washington County’s Climate Action Plan to address sustainability practices and climate change. Karla is a strong advocate for Washington County’s Land and Water Legacy Program to preserve corridors of green space in the county. Washington County partnered with local communities to conserve land for the Mississippi Dunes Park in Cottage Grove and La Lake Park in Woodbury. As Commissioner, Karla initiated using goats in Ravine Park to remove buckthorn, which is a more environmentally sustainable practice than traditional mitigation efforts. Karla will continue to enhance the food scrap recovery program for residents through Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy Board to divert waste from our landfills. 

Relationships

Karla’s extensive experience and relationships with leaders at the city, county, state and federal levels of government benefit Washington County residents in many ways. Because of her working history with these leaders and processes, Karla will make sure Washington County gets its fair share of state and federal dollars. Karla will also fight for policies that will help the people of Washington County and against changes that will do harm. A critical current example is that recent federal and state decisions mean Washington County will have to fundamentally change how critical services are delivered. Karla will continue to make sure that residents’ tax dollars are being used in the most efficient, accountable, and transparent way. 

Karla’s Leadership on Committees

Here are just some of the boards and committees that Karla serves on as County Commissioner:

  • Red Rock Corridor Commission  (Chair)
  • Audit Advisory Committee (Chair) 
  • Finance Committee (Chair)
  • Law Library Board
  • Library Board
  • Regional Railroad Authority (Vice Chair)
  • University of Minnesota Extension Advisory Committee
  • Association of Minnesota Counties – Board of Directors as District X Representative
  • Association of Minnesota Counties – Public Safety Policy Committee
  • National Association of Counties – Justice and Public Safety (Vice Chair of Subcommittee on Law Enforcement)
  • Ramsey / Washington Recycling & Energy Board
  • Ramsey / Washington Recycling & Energy Board – Finance and Facility Committee (Chair)