Eden Prairie City Council · Nov 3, 2026
Kathy Nelson
Candidate for City Council (incumbent)
Kathy Nelson, the incumbent, is running for Eden Prairie City Council in the Nov 3, 2026 election; 7 candidates are running for 2 seats.
Pre-registration deadline (you can still register at the polls) · Tue, Oct 13, 2026
Council member since first being elected in 2006, completing her fifth term. Previously served on the Planning Commission; represents the city on the Eden Prairie Fire Relief Association board.
- Campaign website
- kathynelson.org
Where Kathy Nelson stands: positions on the record
Budget and taxes3 sourced positions
Says she would work to keep taxes low while continuing roads, parks, police and fire services.
“I would also work to keep our taxes low, as Eden Prairie has had some of the lowest taxes along with top-tier services in the Twin Cities for many years.”
Own statementSun Sailor voter's guide · Sep 23, 2026
Voted yes to adopt the 2026 budget and property tax levy, budgeted as a 5.6% levy increase (passed 5-0, Dec 2025).
Council voteCity Council minutes · Dec 2, 2025
Lists a tax structure that funds current service levels while keeping taxes as low as possible.
“Sensible tax structure, which funds current levels of service, while keeping taxes as low as possible”
Own statementCampaign website (accessed Oct 2, 2026)
Fire staffing2 sourced positions
Voted yes on a consent calendar that accepted a federal SAFER grant for fire staffing (passed 5-0, Oct 2025).
Council voteCity Council minutes · Oct 21, 2025
As reported by Eden Prairie Local News; not a direct quote
Said adding full-time firefighters alongside duty crew would help keep response times shorter and more consistent.
Forum answerEden Prairie Local News · Oct 1, 2026
Housing5 sourced positions
As reported by Eden Prairie Local News; not a direct quote
Named housing insecurity as a big challenge and said she wants to continue the city's requirement that new apartment buildings include affordable units.
Forum answerEden Prairie Local News · Oct 1, 2026
Wants a wider range of housing for starting families, established families and seniors.
“Current city issues I would like to work on include establishing a wider range of all types of housing across Eden Prairie, including those for starting families, established families and seniors.”
Own statementSun Sailor voter's guide · Sep 23, 2026
Voted yes to rezone an office site at 6436 City West Parkway for a 195-unit apartment building (passed 5-0, Oct 2025).
Council voteCity Council minutes · Oct 21, 2025
Voted yes to change 28 acres from office to residential for Prairie Bluff Commons: 166 townhome lots and 16 single-family lots (passed 5-0, June 2026).
Council voteCity Council minutes · Jun 16, 2026
As an HRA commissioner, voted yes on a housing TIF district for the 195-unit Roers apartments, 39 units affordable at 50% of area median income (passed 4-0, Jan 2026).
Council voteHRA meeting minutes, Jan 6, 2026 (in Sept 1, 2026 council packet, p. 43) · Jan 6, 2026
Data centers2 sourced positions
Voted yes on the first reading of an ordinance that defines and regulates data centers (passed 5-0, June 2026).
Council voteCity Council minutes · Jun 16, 2026
As reported by Eden Prairie Local News; not a direct quote
Said she is concerned about larger data centers and that the current ordinance reflects what the city is willing to allow.
Forum answerEden Prairie Local News · Oct 1, 2026
License plate readers1 sourced position
As reported by Eden Prairie Local News; not a direct quote
Said the city's Motorola cameras differ from Flock cameras and Motorola does not sell the data.
Forum answerEden Prairie Local News · Oct 1, 2026
Rental housing1 sourced position
As reported by Eden Prairie Local News; not a direct quote
Suggested a hotline so renters can reach an inspector more quickly.
Forum answerEden Prairie Local News · Oct 1, 2026
What Kathy Nelson said vs. how Kathy Nelson voted
Budget and taxes
In their words
Says she would work to keep taxes low while continuing roads, parks, police and fire services.
Sep 23, 2026 ·Sun Sailor voter's guide · Sep 23, 2026
Lists a tax structure that funds current service levels while keeping taxes as low as possible.
On the record
Voted yes to adopt the 2026 budget and property tax levy, budgeted as a 5.6% levy increase (passed 5-0, Dec 2025).
Dec 2, 2025 ·City Council minutes · Dec 2, 2025
Housing
In their words
Wants a wider range of housing for starting families, established families and seniors.
Sep 23, 2026 ·Sun Sailor voter's guide · Sep 23, 2026
On the record
Voted yes to rezone an office site at 6436 City West Parkway for a 195-unit apartment building (passed 5-0, Oct 2025).
Oct 21, 2025 ·City Council minutes · Oct 21, 2025
As an HRA commissioner, voted yes on a housing TIF district for the 195-unit Roers apartments, 39 units affordable at 50% of area median income (passed 4-0, Jan 2026).
Jan 6, 2026 ·HRA meeting minutes, Jan 6, 2026 (in Sept 1, 2026 council packet, p. 43) · Jan 6, 2026
Voted yes to change 28 acres from office to residential for Prairie Bluff Commons: 166 townhome lots and 16 single-family lots (passed 5-0, June 2026).
Jun 16, 2026 ·City Council minutes · Jun 16, 2026
Also running for City Council
All 8 Eden Prairie candidates →Every claim here links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works →
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