Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026
Credit River Mayor & City Council Election 2026
3 of 5 council seats are on the ballot, with 6 candidates running. Updated Oct 20, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check
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How to vote · 11 days left
Election Day (Nov 3): the election office's noticeThese links go to official state and county election sites. Hours and rules differ by state; your election office has the final word.
The candidates
Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.
Mayor
1 seat- Christopher KostikIncumbentChristopher Kostik has been mayor of Credit River since 2021. He lists his occupation as corporate project leader and was a Credit River Township Board supervisor from 2013 to 2021.10sourced
- Bill MarkertBill Markert is a retired chief financial officer and a member of the Credit River City Council. He was appointed to the council in August 2023 and elected to it in November 2024.9sourced
- John MesenbrinkJohn Mesenbrink started a construction business in Credit River more than 45 years ago.4sourced
City Council
Vote for up to 2- Brad AhoBrad Aho is a chief technology officer and small business owner. He served four terms on the Eden Prairie City Council (2004–2020) and has lived in Credit River since 2021.5sourced
- Bruce WiseBruce Wise filed for Credit River City Council on July 16, 2026.1sourced
- Abe ZantoIncumbentAbe Zanto is the CIO at Omni Workspace and a member of the Credit River City Council. He served on the Credit River Planning Commission from 2021 to 2022.7sourced
Voters citywide choose a mayor from three candidates and two council members from three candidates; Council Member Leroy Schommer is not on this ballot, and Council Member Bill Markert's council term runs to 2028 while he runs for mayor.
Also on your Nov 3 ballot
We research city races only. For these races, go to the state's official guide or a nonpartisan one.
- Governor
- Amy Klobuchar · Democratic-Farmer-Labor
- Lisa Demuth · Republican
- Steven Young · Green
- U.S. Senate
- Peggy Flanagan · Democratic-Farmer-Labor
- Michele Tafoya · Republican
- Marisa Simonetti · Independent
- Rebecca Whiting · Libertarian
- Also statewideSecretary of State · State Auditor · Attorney General · Associate Justice - Supreme Court · Judge - Court of Appeals
- Statewide measures1 on the ballot: the state's official explanations
Districts come from 2020 Census blocks and the district maps for this election. Your address decides your districts.
Already on the council, not on the ballot
Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.
Officeholders' pages compare what they've said with how they've voted, with sources.
What the next council decides
01Municipal sewer and water3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe council supported a state bonding request for a sewer and water extension project in 2025 and in September 2026 hired Ehlers for a utility study.
What's on the tableThe next council will decide whether, when and how to build and pay for municipal sewer and water in parts of the city.
- In August 2025 the council voted 3-2 for a resolution supporting a state bonding request for a sewer and water extension project. City of Credit River · Aug 4, 2025
- Council Member Bill Markert presented his own recommendations on the timing of municipal sewer and water at the April 6, 2026 meeting. City of Credit River · Apr 6, 2026
- In September 2026 the council approved a $17,000 quote from Ehlers for a utility study, 5-0. City of Credit River · Sep 21, 2026
02City Hall and land for city facilities4 sourced facts
Where it standsThe city is looking for land for a future City Hall; two requests for realtor proposals drew no responses.
What's on the tableThe next council will decide whether to buy land and whether to build, remodel or keep the current City Hall.
- In August 2025 the council tabled a proposed lease of office and equipment storage space from Krueger Properties, 5-0. City of Credit River · Aug 18, 2025
- In April 2026 the council voted 4-1 to have staff prepare a request for proposals for realtor services. City of Credit River · Apr 20, 2026
- The city issued two requests for proposals for a realtor to help find a future City Hall site and received no proposals. City of Credit River · Sep 21, 2026
- In September 2026 the council directed the city administrator to contact property owners about possible City Hall sites. City of Credit River · Sep 21, 2026
03Property taxes and the 2027 budget4 sourced facts
Where it standsIn September 2026 the council set a preliminary 2027 levy of $2,927,942, up 3.04% from 2026; the final levy is set in December.
What's on the tableThe council will adopt the final 2027 budget and levy after a Truth-in-Taxation hearing on Dec. 7, 2026.
- The 2027 preliminary levy of $2,927,942 is $86,442 more than the 2026 levy of $2,841,500. City of Credit River · Sep 21, 2026
- Staff listed the purchase of land for a new City Hall among the factors in the 2027 levy increase. City of Credit River · Sep 21, 2026
- The council adopted the 2027 preliminary levy 5-0 and set the Truth-in-Taxation hearing for Dec. 7, 2026. City of Credit River · Sep 21, 2026
- In September 2025 a motion to cut the 2026 preliminary levy from $3,165,878 to $2,877,858 failed 2-3. City of Credit River · Sep 22, 2025
04Rural density and growth3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe Urban Expansion Reserve district allows one home per 40 acres; a proposed one-acre homesite exception was tabled in May 2026.
What's on the tableThe next council will decide on density rules for rural land and on the city's next comprehensive plan.
- The Urban Expansion Reserve district requires a minimum lot size of 40 acres and limits density to one dwelling unit per 40 acres. City of Credit River · May 4, 2026
- The proposed amendment would allow a one-time split of a single one-acre residential parcel, with the rest kept at 40 acres or more. City of Credit River · May 4, 2026
- The council tabled the amendment 3-1 so staff could check wastewater questions with Scott County Environmental. City of Credit River · May 4, 2026
2 notes on these statements
Jay Saterbak did not file for reelection to the City Council. Hometown Source · Oct 16, 2026
Bill Markert is a current City Council member whose term doesn't expire until 2028. Hometown Source · Oct 16, 2026
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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. Should Credit River ask the state for bonding money to extend municipal sewer and water?
2. Should the city start looking for land for a future City Hall now?
3. Should yearly city levy increases be held to the rate of inflation or less?
4. Should the city allow more homes on large rural parcels than one per 40 acres?
5. Should Credit River add commercial and industrial development to broaden its tax base?
Key dates
- In-person absentee voting begins at Scott County Public Works, 600 Country Trail E, JordanCity of Credit RiverSep 18, 2026
- Election Day (polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; you can register at your polling place)City of Credit RiverNov 3, 2026
The seat math
1 stay (not up this year): Leroy Schommer3 on this ballot
5 council seats. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.
- The mayor and four council members are the elected policy makers for the City of Credit River. City of Credit River
- The City Council has an official meeting at 6 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of the month at City Hall. City of Credit River
- The 2026 council seats are four-year terms. City of Credit River
- The mayor votes on council motions; Mayor Kostik was among the dissenting votes on a September 2025 levy motion. City of Credit River · Sep 22, 2025
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