Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Redding City Council Election 2026

3 of 5

council seats up

Vote for up to 3

9 candidates

Updated Oct 4, 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 · Vote for up to 3

Tenessa AudetteIncumbentRedding councilmember and past mayor who founded Called to Action Consulting and managed political campaigns. She previously served as a district representative in the California State Senate.10sourced
Mark MezzanoRetired California Highway Patrol sergeant who served on the Redding City Council from 2020 to 2024.4sourced
Rebecca Anne MillerRedding candidate whose campaign site lists homelessness, fire prevention, healthcare and workforce.2sourced
Jack MunnsIncumbentRedding councilmember since 2022 and retired law-enforcement sergeant with a master's in social work.10sourced
Christina ProsperiOwner of the True Ride cycling studio and a former transportation planner who grew up in Redding. Her community service includes the Redding Community Services Advisory Commission.4sourced
Joana RebollarRedding City Council candidate who took part in the Shasta Environmental Alliance candidate forum.1sourced
Paul SaulsburyMobile crisis clinician who has lived in Redding for 18 years.5sourced
Elise Ramirez SloanFormer restaurant general manager and school principal secretary running on the city budget. She also wants to keep utilities affordable.2sourced
Russ WenhamCivil engineer with 42 years in infrastructure who has chaired the Redding Planning Commission. He worked at Caltrans for the first half of his career and later in engineering consulting.5sourced

All Redding voters choose up to three of the nine candidates for the three at-large council seats on the ballot.

1 note on these statements

Jack Munns did not attend the Shasta Environmental Alliance candidate forum. Action News Now

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Paul DhanukaCouncilmember and Vice Mayor; four-year term elected November 2024 (ends 2028)8sourced Mike LittauCouncilmember and Mayor; four-year term elected November 2024 (ends 2028)7sourced

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

Start here

Match quiz4 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesThe city budget gap and the efficiency study, New taxes, Hiring a permanent city manager Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Ballots mailed

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

The city budget gap and the efficiency study

Where it standsRedding is working through financial pressures. The council approved a citywide efficiency study by Circle 6 Consulting in March 2026, and its first findings were presented in September 2026.

What's on the tableThe next council will decide which efficiency study recommendations to adopt, which positions to fill, and how to balance the general fund.

In June 2025 the council adopted the city's two-year budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 by a 4-1 vote; Tenessa Audette voted no. Redding City Council minutes, June 17, 2025 · Jun 17, 2025
In January 2026 the council voted 3-2 to hold a special meeting on budget revenue projections on February 17; Tenessa Audette and Erin Resner voted no. Redding City Council minutes, January 20, 2026 · Jan 20, 2026
In March 2026 the council voted 5-0 for a sole-source agreement of up to $300,000 with Circle 6 Consulting for a citywide efficiency study. Redding City Council minutes, March 17, 2026 · Mar 17, 2026
The city's efficiency study page lists potential savings of $300,000 to $500,000 in stale encumbrances and about $250,000 in idle capital project balances, and says quick wins were presented on September 1, 2026. City of Redding · Sep 1, 2026

New taxes

Where it standsRedding voters rejected a citizen-led 1% sales tax in November 2025. The council also raised business tax rates on cannabis businesses in 2025.

What's on the tableThe next council will decide whether to raise or propose new taxes or fees if the budget gap persists.

In March 2025 the council voted 3-2 to raise business tax rates on cannabis businesses starting July 1, 2025; Paul Dhanuka and Mike Littau voted no. Redding City Council minutes, March 4, 2025 · Mar 4, 2025
In August 2025 the council voted 4-1 to place a citizen initiative for a 1% sales tax on the November 4, 2025 ballot; Tenessa Audette voted no. Redding City Council minutes, August 5, 2025 · Aug 5, 2025

Hiring a permanent city manager

Where it standsInterim City Manager Michael Webb has led the city since July 2026. On September 21, 2026 the council voted 3-2 to hire a recruiting firm to search for a permanent manager.

What's on the tableThe next council will inherit the search and decide who becomes the permanent city manager, along with other vacant department head jobs.

In January 2026 the council unanimously appointed William Tarbox as city manager at an annual salary of $295,000. Redding City Council minutes, January 6, 2026 · Jan 6, 2026
Michael Webb has served as interim city manager since July 2026; Mayor Mike Littau and Jack Munns favored hiring him permanently. Redding Record Searchlight (via Yahoo News): Redding council divided over city manager search
On September 21, 2026 the council voted 3-2 to hire Ralph Andersen and Associates to lead a city manager search; Mayor Littau said it could cost up to $50,000. KRCR · Sep 22, 2026

Homelessness and encampments

Where it standsThe council has asked staff for options on homeless programs and in June 2026 authorized an application for state encampment funding.

What's on the tableThe next council will decide how to use state and local funds for shelter and outreach and what rules to set for housing programs.

In December 2025 a council consensus directed staff to return with options including limiting homeless programs and populations to residential hotel designation. Redding City Council minutes, December 2, 2025 · Dec 2, 2025
In June 2026 the council approved on its consent calendar, 5-0, an application of up to $5.3 million to the state Encampment Resolution Funding Program, with Good News Rescue Mission as subrecipient. Redding City Council minutes, June 16, 2026 · Jun 16, 2026

Electric rates and Redding Electric Utility

Where it standsThe council set a hearing on 4.5% annual electric rate increases in February 2026, then canceled the hearing in March 2026 without a vote on the increases.

What's on the tableThe next council will decide whether to bring back electric rate increases and how Redding Electric Utility money can be used.

In February 2026 the council voted 4-1 to set a public hearing on Redding Electric Utility rate increases of 4.5% per year; Tenessa Audette voted no. Redding City Council minutes, February 17, 2026 · Feb 17, 2026
In March 2026 the council voted 4-1 to continue the rate hearing to March 17; Tenessa Audette voted no. Redding City Council minutes, March 3, 2026 · Mar 3, 2026
On March 17, 2026 the mayor announced the continued public hearing on electric rate increases was canceled and would not be discussed. Redding City Council minutes, March 17, 2026 · Mar 17, 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. Voters rejected a 1% sales tax in 2025. Should the council propose a new tax?
2. How should the council fill the permanent city manager job?
3. What should be the city's main approach to homelessness and camping?
4. Should Redding Electric Utility money be used for other city needs?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

Ballots mailedCalifornia Secretary of StateOct 5, 2026
Last day to register to voteCalifornia Secretary of StateOct 19, 2026
Election DayCity of ReddingNov 3, 2026

The seat math

2 stay (not up this year): Paul Dhanuka, Mike Littau3 on this ballot

5 council seats. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.

The Redding City Council has five members elected at large to staggered four-year terms, and the city uses a council-manager form of government. City of Redding
The November 3, 2026 election fills three City Council seats for four-year terms; the city contracts with Shasta County Elections to run it. City of Redding

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