Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Chico City Council Election 2026

3 of 7

council seats up

3 contests

6 candidates

Updated Oct 3, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

City Council District 2 · 1 seat

Shelby HebertFire resilience project coordinator who manages county-level fuels reduction projects. She previously built affordable housing with Bike and Build and was an AmeriCorps fellow in Sonoma County.6sourced
Kasey ReynoldsIncumbentChico's mayor since 2024 and District 2 councilmember, first elected to the City Council in 2018. Her family has run Shubert's Ice Cream in downtown Chico since 1938.11sourced

City Council District 4 · 1 seat

City Council District 6 · 1 seat

Voters in Districts 2, 4 and 6 each elect one council member; Districts 1, 3, 5 and 7 have no council race this year.

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Dale BennettVice Mayor; Councilmember, District 3; term ends 202810sourced Bryce GoldsteinCouncilmember, District 7; term ends 20289sourced Katie HawleyCouncilmember, District 5; term ends 20289sourced Mike O'BrienCouncilmember, District 1; term ends 202810sourced

Officeholders' pages compare what they've said with how they've voted, with sources.

Start here

Match quiz5 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesHomelessness after the Warren settlement, Measure H and road funding, Sewer rates Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Ballots mailed

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Homelessness after the Warren settlement

Where it standsThe Warren v. Chico settlement, which governs how Chico enforces its anti-camping rules, expires on January 14, 2027. In August 2026 the council voted 4-3 to begin enforcing nuisance rules the settlement allows and to review its codes.

What's on the tableThe next council will decide what anti-camping and nuisance ordinances to adopt after the settlement ends, and what happens to the Alternate Site and the Genesis shelter.

In May 2026 the council voted 6-0 to direct staff to close the Alternate Site when the settlement expires and to keep operating the Genesis emergency shelter with updated rules. Chico City Council minutes, May 19, 2026 · May 19, 2026
In August 2026 the council voted 4-3 to begin enforcing rules that do not violate the Warren agreement and to bring back proposed code changes with public input. Chico City Council minutes, August 18, 2026 · Aug 18, 2026
In August 2026 the council voted 6-1 to declare a local emergency over critical fire danger in and around the Lindo Channel. Chico City Council minutes, July 7 to August 3, 2026 · Aug 3, 2026
The Chico Fire Department linked more than 140 outside fires this year to unhoused residents, most of them in greenways. NSPR · Aug 3, 2026

Measure H and road funding

Where it standsMeasure H, a 1% city sales tax, took effect in April 2023. In May 2026 a proposal to dedicate 51% of it to streets, roads and sidewalks failed 3-4.

What's on the tableEach year the council decides how Measure H money is split among roads, police and other needs in the city budget.

The city said Measure H generated more than $54 million in its first two years and that more than $38 million went to roadway improvements. Action News Now
In May 2026 a motion to adopt a budget policy dedicating 51% of Measure H funds to streets, roads and sidewalks failed 3-4. Chico City Council minutes, May 19, 2026 · May 19, 2026
The council adopted the 2026-27 budget 6-1 in May 2026. Chico City Council minutes, May 19, 2026 · May 19, 2026
In September 2026 a request to schedule a discussion on conserving part of Measure H for infrastructure failed 3-4. Chico City Council minutes, September 1, 2026 · Sep 1, 2026

Sewer rates

Where it standsIn June 2026 the council voted 4-3 to move forward with sewer rate increases of 55% in each of the first two years. In September it continued the public hearing to November 17, 2026.

What's on the tableAfter the protest period, the council can approve, modify or reject the proposed sewer rates, or keep the hearing open.

The plan approved in June 2026 calls for 55% increases in each of the first two years and 3% a year through fiscal 2031. Chico City Council minutes, June 16, 2026 · Jun 16, 2026
The current sewer capital plan calls for about $106.2 million in work over five years. KRCR · Sep 16, 2026
An earlier plan approved in March 2026, with a 180% first-year increase, was reversed in May 2026. KRCR
Under Proposition 218, the new rates cannot take effect if the city receives 10,269 valid written protests. KRCR · Sep 16, 2026

Downtown Revitalization Project

Where it standsTwice in April 2026 the council split 3-3 on Alternative 1, which would add protected bike lanes on Main Street and Broadway. Councilmember Tom van Overbeek did not take part because he owns property near the project.

What's on the tableThe next council could take up the downtown street redesign again, or leave Main Street and Broadway as they are.

On April 7, 2026, a motion to approve Alternative 1, protected one-way bikeways on Main Street and Broadway, failed 3-3. Chico City Council minutes, April 7, 2026 · Apr 7, 2026
In June 2026 a request to put the Alternative 1 vote back on the agenda failed 3-3. Chico City Council minutes, June 2, 2026 · Jun 2, 2026
The project would reduce vehicle lanes on Main Street and Broadway, widen sidewalks and add bike lanes. NSPR · May 29, 2026

Mobile home park rents

Where it standsIn June 2024 the council voted 2-4 against drafting a rent stabilization ordinance for mobile home parks. In September 2026 it voted 7-0 to schedule a new discussion of the idea.

What's on the tableThe next council will hold that discussion and decide whether to draft a mobile home park rent stabilization ordinance.

In June 2024 a motion to direct staff to draft a mobile home park rent stabilization ordinance failed 2-4. Chico City Council minutes, June 18, 2024 · Jun 18, 2024
In September 2026 the council voted 7-0 to agendize a discussion on rent stabilization in mobile home parks. Chico City Council minutes, September 1, 2026 · Sep 1, 2026

Who matches you?

Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.

1. Measure H is Chico's 1% sales tax for public safety, roads and infrastructure. Should the council lock in a fixed share for streets and roads?
2. The Warren v. Chico settlement, which limits anti-camping enforcement, expires in January 2027. What should Chico do next?
3. Chico's sewer system needs about $100 million in work over five years. How should the city pay for it?
4. Alternative 1 of the Downtown Revitalization Project would add protected bike lanes on Main Street and Broadway and cut each from three car lanes to two. Should Chico build it?
5. Should Chico adopt a rent stabilization ordinance limiting space-rent increases in mobile home parks?

Seat the Council →

Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.

Key dates

Ballots mailedButte County ElectionsOct 5, 2026
Last day to register to voteCalifornia Secretary of StateOct 19, 2026
Election DayButte County Voter Information Guide, Nov. 3, 2026 (candidate statements) · Aug 18, 2026Nov 3, 2026

The seat math

4 stay (not up this year): Dale Bennett, Bryce Goldstein, Katie Hawley, Mike O'Brien3 on this ballot

7 council seats. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.

The Chico City Council has seven members, each representing one district, elected to four-year terms. City of Chico
The November 3, 2026 election fills three council seats, in Districts 2, 4 and 6. City of Chico
After each election, the council selects a mayor and vice mayor from among its members for a two-year term. City of Chico
The City Charter empowers the council to appoint a city manager to direct the executive affairs of the city. Chico City Council minutes, July 7 to August 3, 2026 · Aug 3, 2026

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