The mayor of Lake Elmo will run for a seat on the Washington County board.

Dean Johnston announced Friday that he will campaign for the District 2 seat held by Bill Pulkrabek, a commissioner since 1998.

Johnston, 65, said that during his six years as mayor, Lake Elmo has had one of the lowest effective municipal tax rates for metro-area cities with populations of 3,000 or more residents.

Johnston said a seven-year dispute with the Metropolitan Council over growth was resolved after he was elected and that he worked with legislators to help secure state funding to clean up the Washington County landfill. Lake Elmo has been able to provide municipal water to homes affected by the landfill pollution and to construct a new public works building, he said.

The city also has completed a development plan for its village area and a city-wide comprehensive plan, he said.

Two other Washington County board seats also are up for election this year -- those held by commissioners Myra Peterson and Lisa Weik.

KEVIN GILES