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Editor’s Note: The Independent emailed three questions to the candidates for City Council in Ward 1. Here are Larry Magrath’s answers.
Personal (please list occupation, education and family):
Hello: I have been a small business owner/operator of Curbside Vac, which I successfully sold recently. Shortly after Menards opened in Marshall, I trained and received my Class A CDL driver’s license and became a contract delivery driver for the store. I later moved to a local trucking firm and currently work part time driving throughout the region and bordering states hauling corn syrup sweeteners and ice cream mix. I am a past regional reporter for the Independent and currently a freelance journalist and writer.
I graduated from McCook (Neb.) High School and the University of Nebraska at Kearney with a four-year degree in print journalism. I have also taken marketing and advertising courses at SMSU while operating my business.
I come from a family of six and have three brothers and two sisters. My wife Lori and I have been married since 1992 and have three grown sons who all attended Southwest Minnesota State University. We have one grandson.
Why am I running for City Council?
I am running for city council because I have an interest in the city and am vested in the continued viability of Marshall as a great place to live and raise a family. I have a longstanding interest in the community and am interested in the service required to keep the city on a firm footing. I think the council is in need of a strong questioning voice that will advocate for keeping property taxes in check, especially considering the current cost of living every one of us is facing.
I also think voters should have a choice when it comes to electing their representatives. I believe that the council can benefit from diversity of thought and hearing opposing views. Exploring a range of ideas could foster the best possible outcomes for the city and citizens.
I believe the city can make progress in addressing some longstanding barriers to growth and affordability and I would like to be a part of that discussion. I have a wide range of interests and a willingness to fully engage in various subcommittees, boards and task forces in service to the city.
I also have an interest in fostering engagement in city government by residents. The city could benefit from additional liaisons in the community to further the engagement and understanding of city operations.
What are the major issues facing the city of Marshall?
One major issue for Marshall is the continual, year-after-year rise in the tax levy. The tax levy increase for the last four years has been: 6.43% in ’23, 9.9% in ’24, 9.8% in ’25, and 6.59% in ’26. The preliminary tax levy for the 2027 budget year is 9.59% with the final percentage expected to be set at the Dec. 8th meeting which includes the Truth in Taxation Public Hearing.
The city should work to keep the tax levy increase close to the rate of inflation for the next several years unless the overall valuation increases significantly. A higher valuation spreads the tax burden among more entities.
Budgetary concerns mean the city has to manage expectations of services which can be challenging. City spending on employee salary and benefits including health care has to be carefully managed. Health care spending must be closely watched and reviewed each year for potential savings to the city.
Since salaries and benefits are such a large part of the city's spending each year, innovation in how services are provided could be the key to improving efficiencies of those employees.
This town's growth is hindered by the available workers who need affordable housing and child care. Those areas also need more attention and innovative approaches to achieve results.
The availability of suitable low-cost building lots for housing is low and should be increased.