Baxter City Council · Nov 3, 2026
Zach
Tabatt
Zach Tabatt, the incumbent, is running for Baxter City Council in the Nov 3, 2026 election; 4 candidates are running for 2 seats.
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The race · City Council
- 01Douglas C. Francis
- 02Joe Mussell
- 03Jeff Phillips
- 04Zach TabattYou’re reading
Background
- About
- Vice President for Economic Opportunity at the Initiative Foundation and a Baxter City Council member. He previously worked as a police officer and financial advisor.
Council members Connie Lyscio and Zach Tabatt hold the two seats on the ballot; Zach Tabatt is running for reelection and Connie Lyscio is running for Brainerd School Board instead. KAXE · Sep 28, 2026
Douglas C. Francis, Joe Mussell and Jeff Phillips did not respond to the KAXE election guide; Zach Tabatt did. KAXE · Sep 28, 2026
On the record: Zach Tabatt
12 sourced01Local sales tax2 sourced positions
Said Baxter needs to maintain its local sales tax to prevent large property tax and fee increases for residents.
Maintaining the current sales tax will help prevent massive property tax and fee increases unfairly placed on residents.”
Own statementBrainerd Dispatch · Jul 14, 2026Link
as reported by the Brainerd Dispatch
At a September 2026 budget work session, called the sales tax the top budget priority, saying its loss would cost the city $3.8 million a year starting in 2028.
I believe the sales tax issue is above priority number one in terms of the city's budget”
Own statementBrainerd Dispatch · Sep 18, 2026Link
02Highway 371 overpass2 sourced positions
Made the motion to disapprove MnDOT's final overpass layout unless seven city conditions were met (passed 3-2, January 2026).
Council voteBrainerd Dispatch · Jan 22, 2026LinkHow the council voted
as reported by the Brainerd Dispatch
Before the vote, said MnDOT's design was the most cost-effective way to fix the intersection and that the state funding should not be put off.
I view this as the most cost effective way and the best way that we're going to get through this problem that we have some level of control over”
Own statementBrainerd Dispatch · Jan 22, 2026Link
032027 levy1 sourced position
Voted yes on the preliminary 2027 levy, a 12.65% increase over 2026 (passed 3-1, September 2026).
Council voteBrainerd Dispatch · Sep 22, 2026LinkHow the council voted
04City budget2 sourced positions
as reported by the Brainerd Dispatch
At a September 2026 work session, suggested prioritizing finance, planning and police and keeping public works spending to a minimum.
I would keep public works, streets, parks to the absolute minimum that we can”
Own statementBrainerd Dispatch · Sep 18, 2026Link
Said that if cuts are needed, he would look first at construction projects and costs like roadside mowing.
If cuts are needed, construction projects and aesthetic costs like roadside mowing are the first areas I would look to save on the budget.”
Own statementKAXE · Sep 28, 2026Link
05Police facility1 sourced position
Named improving police facilities as a priority, saying officers work in an undersized building.
For too long, officers at the Baxter police department have worked in a facility that is undersized and not built to protect them while they serve the community.”
Own statementBrainerd Dispatch · Jul 14, 2026Link
06Housing2 sourced positions
Seconded and voted yes on Resolution 2026-026, accepting recommended tax increment financing terms for Timber Ridge, an 80-unit mixed-income assisted living and memory care development (passed unanimously, April 2026).
Council voteCity of Baxter · Apr 7, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Asked the Planning and Zoning Commission to study a residential zoning district for denser housing; the council approved the R1-B district in May 2026.
Own statementBrainerd Dispatch · May 22, 2026Link
07Data centers1 sourced position
Said he does not favor incentives for data centers and opposes council members signing nondisclosure agreements for developments.
I am not in favor of incentives for them.”
Own statementKAXE · Sep 28, 2026Link
08Past candidacies1 sourced position
Ran for Baxter City Council in 2022 as a nonpartisan candidate (won).
Own statementMinnesota Secretary of State · Nov 8, 2022Link
Every claim links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
Zach Tabatt: their words and their votes on the same issue
Hwy 371 overpass
In their words
Before the vote, said MnDOT's design was the most cost-effective way to fix the intersection and that the state funding should not be put off.
Jan 22, 2026 ·as reported by the Brainerd Dispatch ·Brainerd Dispatch · Jan 22, 2026
On the record
Made the motion to disapprove MnDOT's final overpass layout unless seven city conditions were met (passed 3-2, January 2026).
Jan 22, 2026 ·Brainerd Dispatch · Jan 22, 2026
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