Afton Mayor · Nov 3, 2026
Bill
Palmquist
Bill Palmquist, the incumbent, is running for mayor of Afton in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Jake Solberg.
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The race · Mayor
- 01Bill PalmquistYou’re reading
- 02Jake Solberg
Background
- About
- Afton mayor, first elected in 2018, who earlier served on the City Council. He says his first city service was on the Comprehensive Plan Task Force in 2005.
- Campaign website
- palmquistformayor.com
On the record: Bill Palmquist
14 sourced01Priorities1 sourced position
Named city staffing, open space and agricultural preservation, environmental protection and the historic commercial district as his top priorities.
Continued work on open space and agricultural preservation, environmental protections, and a vibrant historic commercial district.”
Own statementPioneer Press · Oct 7, 2026Link
02Budget and taxes3 sourced positions
Said government should keep infrastructure maintained, fund emergency services and hold property taxes as low as possible.
Ensuring the infrastructure is well maintained, emergency services are well prepared and funded, and property taxes are held as low as possible.”
Own statementPioneer Press · Oct 7, 2026Link
Voted yes on the proposed 2026 tax levy, an increase of 4.44% (passed 4-0, September 2025).
Council voteCity of Afton · Sep 16, 2025LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on the final 2026 tax levies (passed 4-0, December 2025).
Council voteCity of Afton · Dec 16, 2025LinkHow the council voted
03Roads1 sourced position
Says the city should keep to its pay-as-you-go road plan and move funds now paying road debt into the infrastructure fund.
It is imperative that the plan laid out 10 years ago is adhered to, and the funds currently making those debt payments are transferred to the infrastructure fund.”
Own statementBill Palmquist for Afton Mayor (campaign site)Link
04Manning Avenue corridor1 sourced position
Says the state and Washington County's Manning Avenue corridor study will require the city to make sure its input is heard.
Own statementBill Palmquist for Afton Mayor (campaign site)Link
05Fire district costs2 sourced positions
Voted no on denying the fire district's proposed 2026 budget as presented (passed 3-2, August 2025).
Council voteCity of Afton · Aug 19, 2025LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on Resolution 2026-37 on the fire district's proposed 2027 budget (passed 5-0, August 2026).
Council voteCity of Afton · Aug 18, 2026LinkHow the council voted
06Deer hunting1 sourced position
Voted yes on Ordinance 01-2026, allowing only shotguns, muzzleloaders or handguns for deer hunting (passed 5-0, June 2026).
Council voteCity of Afton · Jun 16, 2026LinkHow the council voted
07Shed sizes1 sourced position
Voted yes on sending a draft that raises the allowed shed size to 300 square feet to the Planning Commission (passed 3-2, May 2026).
Council voteCity of Afton · May 19, 2026LinkHow the council voted
08Variances2 sourced positions
Voted yes on denying a side-setback variance for an agricultural building on 42nd Street (passed 4-1, June 2025).
Council voteCity of Afton · Jun 17, 2025LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on a 2.4-foot setback variance for a detached garage on Afton Hills Drive South (passed 3-1, February 2025).
Council voteCity of Afton · Feb 18, 2025LinkHow the council voted
09City land1 sourced position
Voted no on keeping city ownership of a vacated cartway off Afton Boulevard (passed 3-1, December 2025).
Council voteCity of Afton · Dec 16, 2025Link
10Past candidacies1 sourced position
Ran for Mayor of Afton in 2024 (won).
Own statementMinnesota Secretary of State · Nov 5, 2024Link
Every claim links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
Bill Palmquist: their words and their votes on the same issue
Budget and taxes
In their words
Said government should keep infrastructure maintained, fund emergency services and hold property taxes as low as possible.
Oct 7, 2026 ·Pioneer Press · Oct 7, 2026
On the record
Voted yes on the final 2026 tax levies (passed 4-0, December 2025).
Dec 16, 2025 ·City of Afton · Dec 16, 2025
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