Columbus City Council · Nov 3, 2026
Karen M.
Fleming
Karen M. Fleming, the incumbent, is running for Columbus City Council in the Nov 3, 2026 election; 4 candidates are running for 2 seats.
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The race · City Council
- 01Joshua Bautch
- 02Karen M. FlemingYou’re reading
- 03Jacob Salkowicz
- 04Scott WendellIncumbent
Background
- About
- Retired credit union executive and a member of the Columbus City Council. She lists 43 years working with credit unions and 18 years as CEO of HBI Credit Union.
- Occupation (from candidate statement)
- Nonpartisan
Karen M. Fleming and Scott Wendell took part in the League of Women Voters forum for City Council; Joshua Bautch and Jacob Salkowicz did not respond to the invitation. League of Women Voters Anoka, Blaine, Coon Rapids Area: 2026 Candidate Forums
Karen M. Fleming was appointed to the council seat of former council member Janet Hegland, who resigned in fall 2025. Forest Lake Times · Aug 6, 2026
On the record: Karen M. Fleming
10 sourced01City Hall3 sourced positions
Voted yes on Resolution 26-18 adopting a Capital Improvement Plan and giving preliminary approval to up to $5.3 million in bonds for a new City Hall (passed 5-0, July 2026).
Council voteCity of Columbus · Jul 22, 2026LinkHow the council voted
as recorded in the City Council minutes; not a direct quote
Said she supported building a new City Hall rather than continuing to invest in the existing building.
Own statementCity of Columbus · Jun 24, 2026Link
Voted yes on Resolution 26-24 calling a Feb. 9, 2027 special election on bonds for a new City Hall (passed 5-0, Sept. 2026).
Council voteCity of Columbus · Sep 9, 2026LinkHow the council voted
02Property taxes4 sourced positions
Voted yes on Resolution 26-28 setting the 2027 preliminary property tax levy (passed 5-0, Sept. 2026).
Council voteCity of Columbus · Sep 9, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on Resolution 25-20 approving the final 2026 budget (passed 5-0, Dec. 2025).
Council voteCity of Columbus · Dec 10, 2025LinkHow the council voted
Says keeping property taxes low is how the city can make housing more affordable.
Keeping our property taxes low.”
Own statementForest Lake Times · Sep 24, 2026Link
Says the city will always need infrastructure but keeping taxes low makes Columbus a good place to live.
The city will always need updated infrastructure, but as a resident of Columbus, keeping our taxes low is what makes Columbus a great place to live.”
Own statementForest Lake Times · Sep 24, 2026Link
03Rural land use3 sourced positions
Voted yes on a variance for the shared-access easement of a two-lot subdivision at 14561 Furman Street NE (passed 3-2, July 2026).
Council voteCity of Columbus · Jul 8, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on the final plat for LaMeyer Estates, a two-lot subdivision at 14561 Furman Street NE (passed 4-1, July 2026).
Council voteCity of Columbus · Jul 22, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on a conditional use permit for a church, Fishing for Life, at 8220 Lake Drive NE (passed 4-1, June 2026).
Council voteCity of Columbus · Jun 10, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Every claim links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
Karen M. Fleming: their words and their votes on the same issue
City Hall
In their words
Said she supported building a new City Hall rather than continuing to invest in the existing building.
Jun 24, 2026 ·as recorded in the City Council minutes; not a direct quote ·City of Columbus · Jun 24, 2026
On the record
Voted yes on Resolution 26-24 calling a Feb. 9, 2027 special election on bonds for a new City Hall (passed 5-0, Sept. 2026).
Sep 9, 2026 ·City of Columbus · Sep 9, 2026
Property taxes
In their words
Says keeping property taxes low is how the city can make housing more affordable.
Sep 24, 2026 ·Forest Lake Times · Sep 24, 2026
Says the city will always need infrastructure but keeping taxes low makes Columbus a good place to live.
Sep 24, 2026 ·Forest Lake Times · Sep 24, 2026
On the record
Voted yes on Resolution 25-20 approving the final 2026 budget (passed 5-0, Dec. 2025).
Dec 10, 2025 ·City of Columbus · Dec 10, 2025
Voted yes on Resolution 26-28 setting the 2027 preliminary property tax levy (passed 5-0, Sept. 2026).
Sep 9, 2026 ·City of Columbus · Sep 9, 2026
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