South St. Paul: How long-term
planning shapes our future

By Jimmy Francis | South St. Paul Mayor | September 2026

One of the things I’ve always appreciated about South St. Paul is that we’re not a community that waits for problems to become emergencies before we act. We do our best work when we’re thinking ahead, having honest conversations and making investments that position our city for the future. That’s exactly what a recent Town Square Television segment highlighted, and I appreciate the opportunity to share a little more context behind what residents see today. To view the segment, visit townsquare.tv and search “The Bond that Builds a City.”

The projects discussed in the segment didn’t appear overnight. In fact, their roots go back several years. Back in 2018, our city administrator and I began discussing the challenges we knew were on the horizon. We understood that significant infrastructure needs were coming, and we also knew the Stockyards Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District would eventually be decertified. Rather than waiting until those realities were right in front of us, we started preparing.

One of the most important steps we took was establishing an infrastructure fund. At the time, it may not have seemed exciting, but it was the responsible thing to do. We wanted to begin setting money aside so future city leaders, staff and taxpayers wouldn’t be forced into difficult decisions with limited options. That approach reflects something I strongly believe – that planning isn’t about the next budget year. It’s about putting the community in a better position five, 10 or even 20 years down the road.
As the Town Square Television story explains, that early planning has made a meaningful difference. Because we were proactive, South St. Paul was able to demonstrate to state leaders that we were serious about investing in our own future. When cities seek bonding support from the state, it’s important to show that local taxpayers are committed, too. We weren’t simply showing up with a request. We were showing up with a plan.

That matters.

State partnerships are often the strongest when communities demonstrate that they’ve already done the homework, identified the need and committed local resources. Over the years, South St. Paul has worked hard to build that credibility. The result is that today we’re moving forward on projects that will serve our residents for decades while leveraging support from outside sources whenever possible.

What excites me most is that these projects accomplish more than just replacing aging facilities or updating infrastructure. They create opportunities.

In a city like South St. Paul, buildable land is limited. We aren’t a fast-growing suburban community with thousands of acres waiting to be developed. We are largely built out. That means every redevelopment opportunity matters. Every parcel matters. Every strategic investment matters.

The projects highlighted in the Town Square Television segment help unlock property that can be used for future economic development. That’s significant because new development creates new tax-generating property. New businesses create jobs, attract investment and contribute to our local economy. Over time, those additional taxable properties strengthen our tax base and help support the services residents expect from their city government.

That’s a long-term benefit that can sometimes be easy to overlook when discussions focus on construction costs.

I also want to acknowledge something directly because residents deserve honesty: these investments do impact taxes. Nobody enjoys seeing taxes increase, and I understand those concerns. I live here too, and I listen to those conversations regularly.
However, I think it’s important to look at the entire picture rather than a single line item on a tax statement.

Through a combination of state bonding support, years of financial planning and the eventual sale of the old Public Works property, our finance team has worked hard to position South St. Paul for long-term stability. These decisions were not made casually. They were made after years of analysis, discussion and planning. The goal has always been to balance today’s needs with tomorrow’s responsibilities.

Just as importantly, these projects are expected to create operational efficiencies that save money over time. Modern facilities are typically less expensive to maintain than aging buildings that require constant repairs and upgrades. Consolidating services can reduce duplication and improve how city operations function. Retiring outdated facilities allows us to focus resources where they will have the greatest impact.

That’s the difference between spending money and investing money.

An expense disappears. An investment creates future value.

When I look at these projects, I see investments that improve service delivery, modernize infrastructure, create redevelopment opportunities and position our city for future growth. Those are outcomes worth pursuing.

I also see something else: years of patient work finally coming together.

For a long time, South St. Paul has been laying the foundation for its next chapter. We’ve worked to improve infrastructure, support redevelopment efforts, strengthen city services and make strategic decisions that keep us competitive. Progress doesn’t always happen overnight. Sometimes the most important decisions are the ones that don’t make headlines when they’re first made.

Creating an infrastructure fund in 2018 wasn’t a headline-grabbing moment. Setting aside resources year after year wasn’t flashy. Having difficult discussions about future needs wasn’t always exciting. But those decisions are helping make today’s progress possible.

That’s why I believe the projects moving forward today tell a much bigger story. They are evidence that long-term planning works. They show what can happen when a community identifies its challenges early and acts before those challenges become crises.

When residents ask why we’re moving forward with these investments, my answer is straightforward. We’re doing it because the need is real. We’re doing it because we planned. We’re doing it because we’ve earned support from partners who recognize the value of what South St. Paul is trying to accomplish. Most importantly, we’re doing it because we want future generations to inherit a city that is financially stable, economically competitive and prepared for whatever comes next.

I encourage everyone to take a few minutes and watch the Town Square Television segment. It provides a helpful overview of where we are, what these projects involve and why they’re important. Whether you agree with every decision or not, I believe informed residents make stronger communities, and transparency is always important to me.

South St. Paul’s future is not being shaped by luck. It’s shaped by years of thoughtful planning, responsible financial management and a willingness to make tough decisions when necessary. The work we’re seeing today started years ago, and the benefits will be felt for years to come. That’s something for which our community can be proud.

With love from South St. Paul,
Jimmy Francis

View past articles from this year!
Exploring South St. Paul: A kid’s guide that still holds up (August 2026)
South St. Paul at 250: A community shaped by its people, past and present (July 2026)
Exploring South St. Paul this summer: events, shade, safety and outdoor fun (June 2026)
The power of civic engagement in South St. Paul (May 2026)
Accessibility is a civil right (April 2026)
Carrying forward a vision of harmony and responsible stewardship in 2026 (March 2026)
Harmony begins at home (February 2026)
Harmony, optimism, and 250 years of progress (January 2026)

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