Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026
Walton Mayor & City Council Election 2026
6 of 6 council seats are on the ballot, with 11 candidates running. Updated Oct 20, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check
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How to vote · 11 days left
In-person, no-excuse early voting begins (Oct 29): the election office's noticeThese links go to official state and county election sites. Hours and rules differ by state; your election office has the final word.
The candidates
Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.
Mayor
1 seat- Gabriel D. BrownGabriel D. Brown was Walton's mayor from 2017 until May 2024 and served on Walton City Council before that. He began serving on the council in 2013.3sourced
- Terri Lynn CourtneyIncumbentTerri Lynn Courtney has been Walton's mayor since May 2024 and is a lifelong Walton resident. She was appointed to Walton City Council in February 2020 and served on the council until her appointment as mayor.5sourced
City Council
Vote for up to 6- Mark S. CarnahanMark S. Carnahan is a former Walton mayor who served on Walton City Council before being appointed mayor in 2013.2sourced
- Kelly F. FulmerKelly F. Fulmer is a former chairman of the Walton-Verona Independent Board of Education, which he joined in 2000.2sourced
- Sherry GaskillIncumbentSherry Gaskill is a Walton City Council member who was first elected in 2022 and reelected in 2024.15sourced
- Paula M. JolleyPaula M. Jolley is a former Walton mayor who has also served on the city council and the Walton-Verona Board of Education. She has lived in Walton since 1991.2sourced
- Amy LongIncumbentAmy Long is a Walton City Council member first elected in November 2022. She is vice president of the Florence Women's Club.12sourced
- Dan MartinIncumbentDan Martin is a Walton City Council member who was first elected in 2022 and reelected in 2024.13sourced
- Heath ParmerCandidate for Walton City Council.1sourced
- Eric M. TungateEric M. Tungate spent 15 years with the Walton Fire Protection District as a fire captain and public safety inspector. He was captain of the Glendale Fire Department from 2001 to 2011.1sourced
- Paul David WashburnCandidate for Walton City Council.1sourced
The mayor's office and all six council seats are on the ballot. Voters may choose up to six council candidates.
Also on your Nov 3 ballot
We research city races only. For these races, go to the state's official guide or a nonpartisan one.
- U.S. Senate
- Andy Barr · Republican Party
- Charles Booker · Democratic Party
- Christopher Campbell · Kentucky Party
- Statewide measures1 on the ballot: the state's official explanations
Districts come from 2020 Census blocks and the district maps for this election. Your address decides your districts.
What the next council decides
01Sewer capacity and new construction5 sourced facts
Where it standsWalton's sewer system has been near capacity, and a 2024 moratorium on new construction remains in place, with modifications, while water and sewer upgrades are built.
What's on the tableWhether to ease or lift the remaining construction limits, and any changes to water and sewer rates and connection fees.
- In November 2024, Walton's sewer system was operating at nearly 80% of capacity, according to the city council. LINK nky · Nov 13, 2024
- Expanding the existing treatment plant was estimated to cost about $20 million. LINK nky · Nov 13, 2024
- In October 2025 the council voted 5-0 to reaffirm, with modifications, the moratorium on new construction first instituted on July 9, 2024. Walton City Council minutes, October 14, 2025 · Oct 14, 2025
- In November 2025 the city administrator said the city was lifting some restrictions on single-family homes and small businesses. LINK nky · Nov 5, 2025
- Proposed ordinances revising water and sewer rates and connection fees were removed from consideration at the June 9, 2026 meeting. Walton City Council minutes, June 9, 2026 · Jun 9, 2026
02The 2% payroll tax5 sourced facts
Where it standsWalton adopted a 2% occupational tax on wages earned in the city to pay for sewer improvements, with collection by Boone County set to begin in 2026.
What's on the tableWhether to keep the tax at its current rate and how its revenue is spent.
- In December 2024, the Walton City Council approved a 2% occupational tax on wages earned in Walton to finance sewer system improvements. LINK nky candidate profile
- Employers at Walton businesses were to begin collecting the tax from employees on January 1, 2026, with Boone County collecting it quarterly for the city. LINK nky · Mar 12, 2025
- Walton will pay Boone County $70,000 to set up collection, and the county will also charge a 10% collection fee on the taxes it collects. LINK nky · Mar 12, 2025
- The city hopes to collect $2.8 million from the tax to pay for sewer system improvements. LINK nky · Mar 12, 2025
- In March 2025 the council voted 5-1 to approve the Boone County pricing for setting up collection; Matt Brown voted no. Walton City Council minutes, March 11, 2025 · Mar 11, 2025
03City administrator3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe council created a city administrator position in 2025, and the administrator hired in March 2026 left in September 2026.
What's on the tableWhether to fill the city administrator position again, and with whom.
- The council created the nonelected office of city administrator by a 5-1 vote in July 2025. Walton City Council minutes, July 1, 2025 (special meeting) · Jul 1, 2025
- The council appointed Scott Smith as city administrator by a 5-1 vote in March 2026. Walton City Council minutes, March 3, 2026 (caucus/special meeting) · Mar 3, 2026
- In September 2026 the city announced that it had mutually agreed to part ways with Smith, less than six months after he took the job. LINK nky · Sep 3, 2026
04Rental housing rules2 sourced facts
Where it standsThe council created a long-term rental license and safety inspection program in September 2026 and revised its short-term rental rules in June 2026.
What's on the tableHow the new rental license and inspection program is carried out and enforced.
- Ordinance 2026-14, sponsored by Amy Long, created a long-term residential rental license and safety inspection program and passed 5-0 in September 2026. Walton City Council minutes, September 8, 2026 · Sep 8, 2026
- Ordinance 2026-05, revising the city's regulations for short-term rentals, passed 4-0 in June 2026. Walton City Council minutes, June 11, 2026 (special meeting) · Jun 11, 2026
05Town hall meetings2 sourced facts
Where it standsThe council approved a schedule of quarterly town hall meetings for residents in December 2025.
What's on the tableWhether to keep holding quarterly town hall meetings.
- Resolution 2025-12, approving a schedule of quarterly town hall meetings for members of the public, passed 4-0 in December 2025. Walton City Council minutes, December 9, 2025 · Dec 9, 2025
- In November 2025 the city scheduled a quarterly residents meeting at the Walton Senior Center for November 20. LINK nky · Nov 5, 2025
3 notes on these statements
Nine candidates are on the ballot for the six council seats, and two candidates are running for mayor. Kentucky State Board of Elections · Nov 3, 2026
The council appointed Dawna Moorehead in September 2026 to fill the unexpired term of Caleb Flege. Walton City Council minutes, September 8, 2026 · Sep 8, 2026
Council members Matt Brown, Rose Beach and Dawna Moorehead are not on the 2026 ballot. Kentucky State Board of Elections · Nov 3, 2026
No sign-in · answers stay on your phone
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. Should Walton keep its 2% occupational (payroll) tax to pay for sewer improvements?
2. Should Walton keep a city administrator to run day-to-day city operations?
3. Should Walton require licenses and safety inspections for long-term rental homes?
4. Should the city hold regular town hall meetings for residents?
Key dates
The seat math
0 stay (not up this year): 6 on this ballot
6 council seats plus a mayor who doesn't vote on council items. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.
- Walton voters will elect a mayor and six council members in November 2026, in nonpartisan races. LINK nky candidate profile
- The Boone County ballot lists the Walton City Council contest as vote for up to six. Kentucky State Board of Elections · Nov 3, 2026
- Terri Courtney was elected mayor in November 2024 to serve the remainder of a term ending in 2026. LINK nky · Dec 11, 2024
- Walton is Boone County's southernmost city, and its population has doubled over the past 20 years, according to U.S. Census data. LINK nky candidate profile
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