Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Edina City Council Election 2026

2 of 5

council seats up

Vote for up to 2

6 candidates

Updated Oct 4, 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 · Vote for up to 2

Kate AgnewIncumbentCity Council Member; term ends January 202711sourced
David FrenkelTechnical and sales professional in defense, healthcare and manufacturing, and a youth hockey coach. University of Minnesota graduate and volunteer for Special Olympics, the VA hospital and Second Harvest Heartland.7sourced
Patrick GageFourth-generation Edina resident who works for Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon. Georgetown University graduate (2017), member of Edina Morningside Rotary and board member of the Edina Historical Society.4sourced
Alicia GibsonAdjunct professor at MCAD who has held leadership roles in several Edina civic groups. Lists the League of Women Voters Edina, the Edina Asian American Alliance and the Morningside Neighborhood Association.4sourced
Scot HoushInsurance and risk management executive and former Edina City Council member (2001-2011). Edina West and Brown University graduate who has lived in Edina for 34 years.5sourced
Jason KalenbornFinance professional with 30 years of experience, including as an auditor and at Target. Works for Pediatric Home Service and has lived in Edina for 30 years.4sourced

Two of the five council seats are on this ballot, with six candidates. The mayor and two other council members are not up until 2029.

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

James HovlandMayor; term ends January 20297sourced Carolyn JacksonCouncil Member; term ends January 20299sourced James PierceCouncil Member; term ends January 20298sourced

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

Start here

Match quiz5 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesProperty taxes and the 2027 budget, Fire and EMS response times, Park safety, gun violence and license plate readers Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Pre-registration deadline (you can still register at the polls)

Tue, Oct 13, 2026

All key dates

What the next council decides

Property taxes and the 2027 budget

Where it standsOn Sept 15, 2026 the council set a preliminary 2027 city levy of $67.8 million, a 6.5% increase. A hearing and the final vote are scheduled for Dec 1.

What's on the tableThe final 2027 levy and budget in December, including how much of the available surplus goes to one-time capital and maintenance.

The preliminary levy is a ceiling: it can be lowered before final approval but not raised. Sun Current
City levy increases were 9.15% in 2024, 8.44% in 2025 and 7.94% in 2026. Sun Current
The finance director said the 6.5% comes from operational changes, including paramedic firefighters and staffing for Fred Richards Park, and the construction levy. Sun Current
The proposed construction levy is $5.9 million, up 50.63% from 2026; the finance director said this largely returns it to earlier funding levels after temporary reductions in 2025 and 2026. Sun Current
Staff recommended allocating $1,454,646 of General Fund surplus to the Construction Fund, with $4,882,841 remaining in reserve there; the council adopted Resolution 2026-53 (3-1). City Council minutes, Sept 15, 2026 (unapproved when drafted; in Oct 6, 2026 council packet, pp. 9-15) · Sep 15, 2026

Fire and EMS response times

Where it standsThe city says it is in the planning phase for a third fire station. The 2026 budget added six firefighters, and the 2027 proposal adds more paramedic firefighters.

What's on the tableWhether and when to fund and build a third fire station, and how many firefighters to add in future budgets.

The city set a response goal of six minutes or less in 2018; the average response time now exceeds 12 minutes, or 15 minutes for calls from northeast Edina. Sun Current · Dec 4, 2025
The fire chief proposed hiring 12 firefighters for 2026; the final 2026 budget approved six. Edina Zephyrus · Apr 9, 2026
Fire Chief Andrew Slama said the third fire station was in its “planning and implementation phase.” Edina Zephyrus · Apr 9, 2026
The 2027 levy proposal includes the addition of paramedic firefighters. Sun Current

Park safety, gun violence and license plate readers

Where it standsAfter gunfire at Yancey Park on July 22, 2026, the council joined a state crime reduction unit in August and adopted new park rules on Sept 1.

What's on the tablePolice staffing and funding in the 2027 budget, whether to keep license plate readers, and any further park rules.

The city said its response to the Yancey Park gunfire focuses on investigation and police presence, relationships with youth, families and community leaders, and tools for managing large gatherings. City of Edina
On Aug 5 the council voted 5-0 to join the BCA Violent Crime Reduction Unit; the police chief said a full-time detective would be assigned to it. City Council minutes, Aug 5, 2026 (in Aug 18, 2026 council packet, pp. 7-9) · Aug 5, 2026
On Sept 1 the council adopted Ordinance 2026-12 on additional restrictions for parks and publicly owned properties (5-0). City Council minutes, Sept 1, 2026 (in Sept 15, 2026 council packet, pp. 7-10) · Sep 1, 2026
Staff said Edina has used Flock license plate readers since 2023, that data is deleted after 30 days unless kept for an investigation, and that auto thefts fell from 125 to 44. City Council work session minutes, Aug 5, 2026 (in Aug 18, 2026 council packet, pp. 3-5) · Aug 5, 2026
The police chief said he anticipates the department will ask for more officers in the next budget cycle. City Council minutes, Aug 5, 2026 (in Aug 18, 2026 council packet, pp. 7-9) · Aug 5, 2026

TIF districts and France Avenue

Where it standsTax increment financing (TIF) districts were created near 7200, 7235 and 7250 France Avenue. The council extended the 7235 France site plan to Dec 31, 2026 and paused underpass spending in April.

What's on the tableWhether TIF keeps funding redevelopment on France Avenue and how to make France Avenue safer to cross.

On Apr 21 the council voted 4-1 to suspend all spending on studying a France Avenue pedestrian underpass and to study at-grade crossings with Hennepin County, reporting back on June 30, 2027. City Council minutes, Apr 21, 2026 · Apr 21, 2026
City staff said TIF districts were created near 7200, 7235 and 7250 France Avenue, and proposed a $49,898 pedestrian safety study funded by the 72nd & France TIF district. City Council agenda packet, Sept 15, 2026 (item 6.4, p. 14) · Sep 15, 2026
On Sept 15 the council tabled that study purchase (4-0) and extended site plan approval at 7235 France Avenue, the former Macy's furniture store site, to Dec 31, 2026 (3-1). City Council minutes, Sept 15, 2026 (unapproved when drafted; in Oct 6, 2026 council packet, pp. 9-15) · Sep 15, 2026

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. The council set a preliminary 2027 levy increase of 6.5% and votes on the final levy Dec 1. What should it do?
2. Should Edina build a third fire station for northeast Edina?
3. How should Edina use tax increment financing (TIF)?
4. How should Edina pay for repairs and upkeep of city buildings and facilities?
5. What should the city study to make France Avenue safer to cross on foot?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

Early voting begins at Edina City Hall (weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)City of EdinaSep 18, 2026
Pre-registration deadline (you can still register at the polls)Minnesota Secretary of State · Jan 22, 2026Oct 13, 2026
Election Day (polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.)City of EdinaNov 3, 2026

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): James Hovland, Carolyn Jackson, James Pierce2 on this ballot

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

The Edina City Council is a mayor and four council members who serve four-year staggered terms, with elections in even-numbered years. City of Edina
The mayor and all four council members vote: roll calls list all five. City Council minutes, Apr 21, 2026 · Apr 21, 2026
Mayor James Hovland and Council Members Carolyn Jackson and James Pierce have terms that expire in January 2029. City of Edina

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

See something wrong? Report an error

Something wrong or missing? Tell us what and where, with a link to a source if you have one. Reports feed the next verification run.