Cottage Grove, MNVoter Guide 2026 · not a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Cottage Grove City Council Election 2026

2 of 5

council seats up

Vote for up to 2

3 candidates

Updated Oct 5, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

City Council At-Large · Vote for up to 2

Voters choose two council members at-large from three candidates.

2 notes on these statements

Two council member seats, each a four-year term, are open in the Nov 3, 2026 general election. City of Cottage Grove

Cottage Grove's published minutes record who made and seconded each motion and the tally, such as 5-0. Positions drawn from them name only the mover or seconder. Cottage Grove City Council minutes, Apr 2 2025 · Apr 2, 2025

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Myron BaileyMayor of Cottage Grove; re-elected in 20242sourcedDavid ClausenCouncilmember; joined the council in 20253sourcedJustin OlsenCouncilmember; re-elected in 20245sourced

Officeholders' pages compare what they've said with how they've voted, with sources.

Start here

Match quiz1 questions · answers stay on your phoneSeat the CouncilPick winners, see the councilWhat council decidesProperty tax levy and budget, EMS program funding, Water system and utility ratesKey datesDeadlines and vote centers

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Next date

Election Day

Tue, Nov 3, 2026

All key dates

What the next council decides

Property tax levy and budget

Where it standsThe Sep 2, 2026 agenda carried a staff recommendation to adopt the preliminary 2026 property tax levy, collectible in 2027.

What's on the tableHow large a levy increase to adopt and what to fund, including equipment and a possible local sales tax.

EMS program funding

Where it standsThe city runs its own EMS service, and ambulance billing and write-offs were reviewed in 2024 and 2025.

What's on the tableHow the city funds and operates its EMS service, including billing and cost recovery.

Water system and utility rates

Where it standsThe Low Zone Water Treatment Plant contract stands at about $41 million, and a 10% water rate increase was proposed for 2026.

What's on the tableHow to pay for water system work and how much to raise utility rates.

Housing and growth

Where it standsThe council approved financing steps in 2025 for the Hadley Ridge workforce apartments, and a Lennar subdivision plat was on the Sep 16, 2026 agenda.

What's on the tableWhether to support more multifamily housing financing and how new residential development proceeds.

Street projects and assessments

Where it standsStaff recommended calling Oct 7, 2026 public hearings on assessments for the 2026 Pavement Management Project and the 80th Street project.

What's on the tableHow street reconstruction costs are shared between assessed property owners and the city.

Who matches you?

Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.

  1. 1. How should Cottage Grove set its property tax levy increase?

Seat the Council →

Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.

Key dates

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Myron Bailey, David Clausen, Justin Olsen2 on this ballot

5 council seats. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.

  • Cottage Grove's City Council consists of the Mayor and four council members who each serve four-year terms, with staggered terms and elections in November of even-numbered years. City of Cottage Grove
  • City Council elections are non-partisan, and candidates run for their seats at-large. City of Cottage Grove
  • The mayor is elected at-large to a four-year term and presides over city council meetings. City of Cottage Grove
  • The council meets at 7 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of every month at City Hall. City of Cottage Grove

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