Blooming Prairie City Council · Nov 3, 2026
William B
Newman
William B Newman, the incumbent, is running for Blooming Prairie City Council in the Nov 3, 2026 election; 5 candidates are running for 2 seats.
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The race · City Council
- 01Charlie Heimerman
- 02Trevor Kruckeberg
- 03William B NewmanYou’re reading
- 04Paul Tollefson
- 05Thomas Wanous
Background
- About
- Blooming Prairie City Council member, elected in November 2022 to a term that expires December 31, 2026.
- Occupation (from candidate statement)
- Nonpartisan
The official candidate list shows Heath Lembke and Michael Ressler for Mayor, and Charlie Heimerman, Trevor Kruckeberg, William B Newman, Paul Tollefson and Thomas Wanous for Council Member (Elect 2). Minnesota Secretary of State
On the record: William B Newman
14 sourced01Highway 218 utilities2 sourced positions
as reported by the Steele County Times; not a direct quote
Named the U.S. Highway 218 reconstruction project through Blooming Prairie as his highest priority for the city.
Forum answerSteele County Times · Oct 15, 2026Link
Voted yes on Resolution 26-07-03 adopting the facility plan for Highway 218 sewer and water utility improvements (passed unanimously, July 2026).
Council voteCity of Blooming Prairie · Jul 13, 2026LinkHow the council voted
02Street assessments1 sourced position
as quoted by the Steele County Times
Said it would be acceptable for the community to share street costs rather than one block or street bearing the whole burden.
it would be OK if a community is paying for more than just one single block or one street or avenue, bearing the burden of the whole thing”
Forum answerSteele County Times · Oct 15, 2026Link
03Public safety services1 sourced position
as reported by the Steele County Times; not a direct quote
Supported maintaining local police, fire and ambulance services.
Forum answerSteele County Times · Oct 15, 2026Link
04Open government1 sourced position
as quoted by the Steele County Times
Said he finds it hard to believe the council is not transparent, noting residents can attend meetings or contact him.
I find it hard to believe that we’re not transparent”
Forum answerSteele County Times · Oct 15, 2026Link
05Street repairs4 sourced positions
as quoted by the Steele County Times
Said the council does not want to overtax residents to keep roads at the level everyone wants.
it’s just that we don’t want to overtax our citizens to maintain the roads to what everybody thinks they want.”
Own statementSteele County Times · Oct 21, 2026Link
Voted yes on accepting Ulland Brothers' low bids to mill and overlay Memorial Drive and 4th Ave SW (passed unanimously, April 2026).
Council voteCity of Blooming Prairie · Apr 13, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on authorizing Stantec to draft a feasibility study for the 2027 street repair project (passed unanimously, Sept. 2026).
Council voteCity of Blooming Prairie · Sep 14, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on approving the 2027 street improvements feasibility study (passed; Brad Clark cast the lone no vote, Oct. 2026).
Council voteSteele County Times · Oct 21, 2026Link
06Garbage collection2 sourced positions
as summarized in the City Council minutes; not a direct quote
Told the council he would like to work on contracting a garbage hauler to reduce wear and tear on city roads.
Own statementCity of Blooming Prairie · Feb 9, 2026Link
Voted yes on directing staff to notify trash haulers and draft a consolidated trash collection ordinance (passed unanimously, May 2026).
Council voteCity of Blooming Prairie · May 11, 2026LinkHow the council voted
07Property tax levy2 sourced positions
Voted yes on the proposed 2026 budget and a 14.7% preliminary levy increase (passed unanimously, Sept. 2025).
Council voteCity of Blooming Prairie · Sep 8, 2025LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on the proposed 2027 budget and Resolution 26-09-01, a 14.88% preliminary levy increase (passed unanimously, Sept. 2026).
Council voteCity of Blooming Prairie · Sep 14, 2026LinkHow the council voted
08Smoke-free ordinance1 sourced position
Voted yes on directing staff to limit the draft smoke-free ordinance to city property only (passed unanimously, May 2026).
Council voteCity of Blooming Prairie · May 11, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Every claim links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
William B Newman: their words and their votes on the same issue
Highway 218 utilities
In their words
Named the U.S. Highway 218 reconstruction project through Blooming Prairie as his highest priority for the city.
Oct 15, 2026 ·as reported by the Steele County Times; not a direct quote ·Steele County Times · Oct 15, 2026
On the record
Voted yes on Resolution 26-07-03 adopting the facility plan for Highway 218 sewer and water utility improvements (passed unanimously, July 2026).
Jul 13, 2026 ·City of Blooming Prairie · Jul 13, 2026
Street repairs
In their words
Said the council does not want to overtax residents to keep roads at the level everyone wants.
Oct 21, 2026 ·as quoted by the Steele County Times ·Steele County Times · Oct 21, 2026
On the record
Voted yes on accepting Ulland Brothers' low bids to mill and overlay Memorial Drive and 4th Ave SW (passed unanimously, April 2026).
Apr 13, 2026 ·City of Blooming Prairie · Apr 13, 2026
Voted yes on authorizing Stantec to draft a feasibility study for the 2027 street repair project (passed unanimously, Sept. 2026).
Sep 14, 2026 ·City of Blooming Prairie · Sep 14, 2026
Voted yes on approving the 2027 street improvements feasibility study (passed; Brad Clark cast the lone no vote, Oct. 2026).
Oct 21, 2026 ·Steele County Times · Oct 21, 2026
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