Getting involved in the community was a natural step for current Kimball Mayor Karla Davis. “My mom is city administrator in Dayton and I was kind of raised in community government,” Davis said. Davis took office Jan. 1, 2003. Her term expires Dec. 31, 2004. “I just really wanted to get involved and see some changes happen in Kimball,” she said. One thing she wanted to do was lower taxes in Kimball, which she did. This was a challenge considering the estimated $24,000 loss in state-funded local government aid. to the city last year. “The most difficult thing was figuring out where to cut and what to cut,” Davis said. “We wanted to keep jobs, yet there was scrutiny about raising fees.” Davis and city council members went through the budget line by line and made changes to balance it. Some changes were: charging fees to use governmentally-funded buildings and increasing fees for the park shelter, minor cuts to the park and recreation fund, reducing the city’s capital outlay by about $10,000 and cutting city staff overtime. Davis and the city council also lowered local city taxes for 2004. The job Being mayor requires working hours that fall between a part-time job and a full-time position. “Some weeks the phone doesn’t ring at all and sometimes as soon as I hang up the phone it rings again,” Davis said. As mayor, Davis is the official head of the city. According to Minnesota statutes, she is responsible for representing the city before Minnesota Legislature, federal agencies and other local governments; performing ceremonial duties on behalf of the community and exerting leadership. The mayor also signs ordinances, contracts and written orders of payment along with the city clerk; is the city weed inspector; can appoint positions upon council approval and is the only person who can declare a local emergency. She also must preside over city council meetings twice a month. Because Kimball is a statutory city, the mayor is a regular member of the city council, as well. “I’m only one in five votes,” Davis said, “Everyone looks to the mayor as being in a powerful position. I don’t know if it’s powerful or more about giving the information to people.” Davis researches and addresses issues affecting the community. “I’m trying to be a leader and get the information for everybody,” she said. Thus far, she has learned many things, including how the city works and how to do the budget. The learning process is ongoing and Davis uses her resources when she needs more information or a second opinion. She attends workshops for community leaders and the League of Minnesota Cities provides statistics and information. “They lobby for the cities and they’re really just there to support us,” Davis said. Also, Davis and other women mayors from the surrounding communities including Royalton, Avon, Becker and Cold Spring have a lunch group. “You kind of depend on those people,” she said, “We talk and can call [each other] and see how they handled something in their community.” One of the most challenging things, she said, was trying to address everyone’s concerns and find solutions. “I’m a very people pleasing person so it’s hard not to do what everyone wants,” she said. “There are guidelines and rules we have to follow [so we can’t always satisfy everybody].” Work is home Davis and her husband Larry, an automotive technician in Shakopee, moved to Kimball four years ago. “We fell in love with the house,” Davis said, “I wanted a formal living room and dining room and all the ceilings are curved. It has some real unique features.” Davis also runs a full-time daycare out of her home. She is licensed to care for 12 children and currently cares for seven children. Included in her care are her own two children, Hunter, who will be 5 years old Jan. 13 and Arianna, who is 22 months old. Background Davis met her husband when she was 16 while cruising main street in Hutchinson. They were friends for two years before dating and were married in Oct. of 1995. Davis had worked toward a degree in child developement at North Hennepin Technical College for two years, but couldn’t afford college after getting married. Davis also went to beauty school to be a nail technician. But, she didn’t take a job in either of those things, right away. For three years Davis worked as a wedding consultant, concentrating on attire. She sewed wedding dresses and helped then plan attire for bridesmaids and groomsmen. Davis also sold apartments and hosted Tupperware parties before settling into the Telecommunications business about six years ago. She worked in switch translations, programming phone services on the computer. She was commuting to the cities to work from Kimball and had her children in daycare from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. when she was laid off in 2002. Figuring in the cost of gas and daycare, she decided it wasn’t worth trying to find another job in the cities, where telecommunications opportunities are more abundant. So, Davis decided to start daycare. “I wanted to raise my kids,” she said. “I wanted to watch them grow up and raise them myself along with everyone elses kids in town and I love it.” Hobbies As a family, the Davis’ enjoy camping, fishing, bike riding, going to movies and gardening. “We like just being able to spend time together,” she said. When she has time, Davis also enjoys sewing, shopping and taking photographs. In the future If Davis could have any job in the world she would like to be a wedding planner or a photographer. “[Being a wedding consultant] was very upbeat; everyone’s excited,” Davis said. “You get one on one contact with the bride. You go from beginning to end so you get to see the finished product.” Davis likes the beauty of photography and is often taking pictures nature; frost on the trees or daycare kids playing in the fall leaves. Davis has a few possible interests for future careers. At this time, she isn’t sure whether she would run for higher elected positions. “I like security,” she said. “So, part of it’s very hard living life being elected.” Davis has considered working in government, though. “Taking what I learned and going into a government position is something I can see [myself doing],” she said. Davis would like to own her own business someday, like a daycare center outside her home, and do something that reinforces positive changes. For now, Davis enjoys being involved in the community and gathering information for community members and make it better. “It’s an opportunity to meet people and lead the community to betterment,” she said.
