Detroit LakesNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Detroit Lakes City Council Election 2026

5 of 9 council seats are on the ballot, with 9 candidates running. Updated Oct 9, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check

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Nov 3Election Day

How to vote · 11 days left

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Election Day (Nov 3): the election office's notice

These 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.

Voters citywide choose two at-large aldermen from three candidates; each ward elects one alderman. The mayor is not on this ballot.

Election Day · Nov 3

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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.

Official voter lookupState voter guideVote411 (League of Women Voters)

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

012027 budget and property tax levy4 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council approved a preliminary 2027 levy of nearly $9.9 million, about 6.7% above this year's, on Sept. 8, 2026; it will be finalized at the Dec. 8 meeting.

What's on the tableThe final 2027 levy and budget, after a public comment session in December.

02Housing and development incentives3 sourced facts

Where it standsHousing was the common theme of the September 2026 candidate forum, and the council continues to approve tax-increment financing for redevelopment.

What's on the tableWhich incentives, zoning changes and projects the city uses to add housing.

  • In September 2026 the council approved up to $162,141 in tax-increment financing for a $1.5 million redevelopment at 1215 Washington Ave.; the developer had requested $262,500. Detroit Lakes Tribune
  • The council granted a one-year extension to the Port on Little Detroit housing development in September 2026. Detroit Lakes Tribune
  • The council approved the Housing and Redevelopment Authority's levy of up to $120,000 for owner-occupied housing rehabilitation and down payment assistance. Detroit Lakes Tribune · Dec 10, 2025
03Streets, utilities and assessments2 sourced facts

Where it standsThe city is reconstructing streets and utilities, with part of the cost assessed to adjacent property owners.

What's on the tableWhich street and utility projects to schedule and how much of their cost is assessed to property owners.

04Data centers2 sourced facts

Where it standsIn September 2026 the council amended its power supply contract with Missouri River Energy Services, adding provisions on data-center power deals.

What's on the tableHow the city would respond if a data center sought to locate in Detroit Lakes.

  • The amended Missouri River Energy Services contract extends the agreement to 2067 and adds provisions tied to blocking data-center power deals that could jeopardize the utility's tax-exempt bond status. Detroit Lakes Tribune
  • KAXE asked each Detroit Lakes council candidate what steps they would take to support or oppose data centers. KAXE · Sep 30, 2026
3 notes on these statements

Jamie Deraney, Celeste Koppe, Lindsey Cooksey, Marga Ybarra and Matt Boeke did not respond to the KAXE candidate questionnaire. KAXE · Sep 30, 2026

Jamie Deraney's name is spelled Jaimie Deraney on the city's council page. City of Detroit Lakes

Alderman Mike Stearns (Ward 2) and Alderman Jackie Buboltz (at large) are not running for reelection. KAXE · Sep 30, 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. 1. How large should Detroit Lakes' yearly property tax levy increases be?

  2. 2. Should the city use TIF and other incentives to get housing built?

  3. 3. Should the city change zoning to allow smaller lots and more duplexes?

  4. 4. How fast should Detroit Lakes take on new development?

  5. 5. What should Detroit Lakes do if a data center wants to locate here?

Seat the councilSeat the Council →Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.On the recordHow the council voted7 council decisions, each member's vote side by side, with a link to the minutes.

Key dates

The seat math

5 stay (not up this year): Matt Brenk, Craig Caulfield, Aaron Dallmann, Wendy Spry, Ron Zeman5 on this ballot

9 council seats plus a mayor who doesn't vote on council items. The council decides by a 5-vote majority.

Every claim here links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works

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