Cologne Mayor · Nov 3, 2026
Matt
Lein
Matt Lein, the incumbent, is running for mayor of Cologne in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Lona Hendricks.
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The race · Mayor
- 01Lona Hendricks
- 02Matt LeinYou’re reading
Background
- About
- Incumbent Mayor of Cologne who started on the city Planning Commission in 2006. He then served on the City Council before becoming mayor.
On the record: Matt Lein
11 sourced01Property taxes4 sourced positions
Voted yes on the final property tax levy collectible in 2026 (passed unanimously, Dec. 2025).
Council voteCity of Cologne · Dec 1, 2025LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on the 2027 preliminary property tax levy, 6.4% above the 2026 levy (passed unanimously, Sept. 2026).
Council voteCity of Cologne · Sep 21, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on the 2026 preliminary property tax levy, 9.81% above the 2025 levy (passed 4-0, Sept. 2025).
Council voteCity of Cologne · Sep 15, 2025LinkHow the council voted
from his answers to the Sun Patriot candidate questionnaire
Said the council reviews the budget line by line each year and plans for big-ticket items to avoid tax spikes.
Every year we review the budget in line item detail to ensure we are being fiscally responsible.”
Own statementSun Patriot · Oct 1, 2026Link
02Firefighter pensions1 sourced position
Voted yes on raising the volunteer firefighter pension benefit level (passed 4-1, Dec. 1, 2025).
Council voteCity of Cologne · Dec 1, 2025LinkHow the council voted
03Wastewater plant2 sourced positions
Voted yes on tabling the purchase of a phosphorus monitoring system for the wastewater plant (passed unanimously, Feb. 2026).
Council voteCity of Cologne · Feb 17, 2026LinkHow the council voted
from his answers to the Sun Patriot candidate questionnaire
Said the city sanitary sewer is the last thing to fix before Cologne will be able to grow.
The City sanitary sewer is the last thing to do before Cologne will be able to grow.”
Own statementSun Patriot · Oct 1, 2026Link
04Growth and development3 sourced positions
Voted yes on Ordinance 2026-03 updating the city zoning map (passed unanimously, Sept. 2026).
Council voteCity of Cologne · Sep 8, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on the preliminary plat for the Village at Cologne 18th Addition (passed unanimously, Aug. 2025).
Council voteCity of Cologne · Aug 18, 2025LinkHow the council voted
from his answers to the Sun Patriot candidate questionnaire
Said keeping the small-town feel is the top priority and that steady growth has worked, while booming growth could harm the city if not managed.
Steady growth has proven to work.”
Own statementSun Patriot · Oct 1, 2026Link
05Data centers1 sourced position
from his answers to the Sun Patriot candidate questionnaire
Said cities should plan for data centers in advance, update zoning, engage the public early and negotiate binding community-benefit agreements.
Local governments should take a proactive, transparent, and balanced approach to data center development rather than treating proposals as simple “yes or no” decisions.”
Own statementSun Patriot · Oct 1, 2026Link
Every claim links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
Matt Lein: their words and their votes on the same issue
Property taxes
In their words
Said the council reviews the budget line by line each year and plans for big-ticket items to avoid tax spikes.
Oct 1, 2026 ·from his answers to the Sun Patriot candidate questionnaire ·Sun Patriot · Oct 1, 2026
On the record
Voted yes on the final property tax levy collectible in 2026 (passed unanimously, Dec. 2025).
Dec 1, 2025 ·City of Cologne · Dec 1, 2025
Voted yes on the 2027 preliminary property tax levy, 6.4% above the 2026 levy (passed unanimously, Sept. 2026).
Sep 21, 2026 ·City of Cologne · Sep 21, 2026
Wastewater plant
In their words
Said the city sanitary sewer is the last thing to fix before Cologne will be able to grow.
Oct 1, 2026 ·from his answers to the Sun Patriot candidate questionnaire ·Sun Patriot · Oct 1, 2026
On the record
Voted yes on tabling the purchase of a phosphorus monitoring system for the wastewater plant (passed unanimously, Feb. 2026).
Feb 17, 2026 ·City of Cologne · Feb 17, 2026
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