Marissa Carroll has spent her career doing what too few elected officials know how to do: bring people to the table and help them find common ground. As a professional mediator and conflict resolution specialist, she has guided organizations, teams, and communities through some of their hardest conversations — and come out the other side with real agreements, real trust, and real results.
Her background in communication and management means she doesn't just listen — she translates. She turns competing concerns into shared priorities, and shared priorities into action.
Marissa isn't running to score points or win arguments. She's running because she believes a city council should reflect the community it serves: competent, compassionate, and committed to working through differences rather than around them.
Professional Mediator & Conflict Resolution Specialist
15+ years of leadership and organizational management
Expertise in facilitated dialogue and stakeholder engagement
Trainer in workplace communication and de-escalation
Lifelong community member and neighborhood advocate
The Platform
What Marissa Will Fight For
Affordability
Property taxes are rising across the county, and Anoka families are feeling it. I want to keep taxes low by growing the city's tax base, which means smart land redevelopment, attracting businesses that generate revenue, and managing city finances with discipline. Anoka's municipally owned electric utility is already keeping rates well below what Xcel Energy charges, and its profits are being reinvested in parks and infrastructure. We can build on that model to find creative revenue streams, hold the line on spending, and ensure every dollar serves residents first.
Public Safety
Anoka deserves to be safe. Safety works best when the right person responds to the right call. I support hiring a dedicated community social worker to handle mental health crises, welfare checks, and non-violent situations that don't require a police response. This frees officers to focus on what police do best, gets people the care they actually need, and stretches our public safety budget further. Keeping our neighborhoods strong means investing in both enforcement and care.
Responsible Development
Anoka has something rare: a genuine small-town character, a historic downtown, and a beautiful riverfront along the Rum River. Supporting locally owned businesses, celebrating our history, and pursuing responsible development makes our city a place people choose to live, visit, and linger. Successes like the Social District show what's possible when the city embraces creative ideas. Anoka is also now updating its 2050 Comprehensive Plan — a once-in-a-decade opportunity to set the vision for our land use, housing, transportation, and natural resources. We will have a voice in shaping Anoka's future! Learn more.
Historic Preservation
Elegant architecture in Greek and Gothic revivalist homes, historical landmarks, and sites that tell a story — these are Anoka's origins. The former State Hospital campus is a prime example: its restored cottages now serve as home to programs like Haven for Heroes. The Minnesota Legislature recently approved $500,000 in funding to support Haven for Heroes and preservation efforts on the campus. I will champion policies that protect landmarks like these and preserve the character of our neighborhoods.
Transparent Governance
Residents deserve to understand how decisions get made. Structured, accessible community engagement with open budget processes are crucial. And disagreement can lead to better outcomes when it is led with listening.
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Paid for by Marissa for Anoka Campaign Committee.
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