EmpireNot a ballot

Empire · On the record

How the council voted

Every recorded council vote in this guide where two or more of the people we profile voted, side by side. Each line was checked against the meeting minutes it links to. Only candidates and members with a page in this guide are listed; open the minutes for the full roll call.

Empire voter guide

Budget and levy

Dec 9, 2025

Resolution 2025-12A, adopting the tax levy collectable in 2026

Result as recorded: passed 5-0, Dec. 2025

  • YesDanny RubioVoted yes on Resolution 2025-12A, adopting the tax levy collectable in 2026 (passed 5-0, Dec. 2025).
  • YesEric HansonVoted yes on Resolution 2025-12A, adopting the tax levy collectable in 2026 (passed 5-0, Dec. 2025).
  • YesMark PageVoted yes on Resolution 2025-12A, adopting the tax levy collectable in 2026 (passed 5-0, Dec. 2025).
  • YesMarla VagtsVoted yes on Resolution 2025-12A, adopting the tax levy collectable in 2026 (passed 5-0, Dec. 2025).
  • YesMelanie LeeVoted yes on Resolution 2025-12A, adopting the tax levy collectable in 2026 (passed 5-0, Dec. 2025).

Empire City Council minutes, Dec. 9, 2025 · Dec 9, 2025Link

Sep 22, 2026

Resolution 2026-9A, adopting the proposed tax levy collectable in 2027

Result as recorded: passed 5-0, Sept. 2026

  • YesDanny RubioVoted yes on Resolution 2026-9A, adopting the proposed tax levy collectable in 2027 (passed 5-0, Sept. 2026).
  • YesEric HansonVoted yes on Resolution 2026-9A, adopting the proposed tax levy collectable in 2027 (passed 5-0, Sept. 2026).
  • YesMark PageVoted yes on Resolution 2026-9A, adopting the proposed tax levy collectable in 2027 (passed 5-0, Sept. 2026).
  • YesMarla VagtsVoted yes on Resolution 2026-9A, adopting the proposed tax levy collectable in 2027 (passed 5-0, Sept. 2026).
  • YesMelanie LeeVoted yes on Resolution 2026-9A, adopting the proposed tax levy collectable in 2027 (passed 5-0, Sept. 2026).

Empire City Council minutes, Sept. 22, 2026 · Sep 22, 2026Link

Growth and development

Jan 13, 2026

Resolution 2026-1B, adopting the Northwest Empire AUAR

Result as recorded: passed 5-0, Jan. 2026

  • YesDanny RubioVoted yes on Resolution 2026-1B, adopting the Northwest Empire AUAR (passed 5-0, Jan. 2026).
  • YesEric HansonVoted yes on Resolution 2026-1B, adopting the Northwest Empire AUAR (passed 5-0, Jan. 2026).
  • YesMark PageVoted yes on Resolution 2026-1B, adopting the Northwest Empire AUAR (passed 5-0, Jan. 2026).
  • YesMarla VagtsVoted yes on Resolution 2026-1B, adopting the Northwest Empire AUAR (passed 5-0, Jan. 2026).
  • YesMelanie LeeVoted yes on Resolution 2026-1B, adopting the Northwest Empire AUAR (passed 5-0, Jan. 2026).

Empire City Council minutes, Jan. 13, 2026 · Jan 13, 2026Link

Mayor and council pay

Sep 8, 2026

Raising mayor and council pay to $300 a month in 2027 and $350 a month in 2028

Result as recorded: failed 2-2-1, Sept. 2026

  • YesMarla VagtsVoted yes on raising mayor and council pay to $300 a month in 2027 and $350 a month in 2028 (failed 2-2-1, Sept. 2026).
  • YesMelanie LeeVoted yes on raising mayor and council pay to $300 a month in 2027 and $350 a month in 2028 (failed 2-2-1, Sept. 2026).
  • NoEric HansonVoted no on raising mayor and council pay to $300 a month in 2027 and $350 a month in 2028 (failed 2-2-1, Sept. 2026).
  • NoMark PageVoted no on raising mayor and council pay to $300 a month in 2027 and $350 a month in 2028 (failed 2-2-1, Sept. 2026).
  • —Danny RubioAbstained on raising mayor and council pay to $300 a month in 2027 and $350 a month in 2028 (failed 2-2-1, Sept. 2026).

Empire City Council minutes, Sept. 8, 2026 · Sep 8, 2026Link

Mayor's term

Sep 8, 2026

Making the mayor's term four years starting with the 2028 election

Result as recorded: passed 3-2, Sept. 2026

  • YesDanny RubioVoted yes on making the mayor's term four years starting with the 2028 election (passed 3-2, Sept. 2026).
  • YesMarla VagtsVoted yes on making the mayor's term four years starting with the 2028 election (passed 3-2, Sept. 2026).
  • YesMelanie LeeVoted yes on making the mayor's term four years starting with the 2028 election (passed 3-2, Sept. 2026).
  • NoEric HansonVoted no on making the mayor's term four years starting with the 2028 election (passed 3-2, Sept. 2026).
  • NoMark PageVoted no on making the mayor's term four years starting with the 2028 election (passed 3-2, Sept. 2026).

Empire City Council minutes, Sept. 8, 2026 · Sep 8, 2026Link

Staff pay study

Dec 9, 2025

Accepting Abdo's proposal for a position classification and compensation study

Result as recorded: passed 4-1, Dec. 2025

  • YesDanny RubioVoted yes on accepting Abdo's proposal for a position classification and compensation study (passed 4-1, Dec. 2025).
  • YesMark PageVoted yes on accepting Abdo's proposal for a position classification and compensation study (passed 4-1, Dec. 2025).
  • YesMarla VagtsVoted yes on accepting Abdo's proposal for a position classification and compensation study (passed 4-1, Dec. 2025).
  • YesMelanie LeeVoted yes on accepting Abdo's proposal for a position classification and compensation study (passed 4-1, Dec. 2025).
  • NoEric HansonVoted no on accepting Abdo's proposal for a position classification and compensation study (passed 4-1, Dec. 2025).

Empire City Council minutes, Dec. 9, 2025 · Dec 9, 2025Link

Telecommunications tower

Feb 24, 2026

Approving a site plan for co-location on an existing telecommunications tower, with the slatted fence left for a later zoning amendment

Result as recorded: passed 3-1, Feb. 2026

  • YesDanny RubioVoted yes on approving a site plan for co-location on an existing telecommunications tower, with the slatted fence left for a later zoning amendment (passed 3-1, Feb. 2026).
  • YesEric HansonVoted yes on approving a site plan for co-location on an existing telecommunications tower, with the slatted fence left for a later zoning amendment (passed 3-1, Feb. 2026).
  • YesMarla VagtsVoted yes on approving a site plan for co-location on an existing telecommunications tower, with the slatted fence left for a later zoning amendment (passed 3-1, Feb. 2026).
  • NoMelanie LeeVoted no on approving a site plan for co-location on an existing telecommunications tower, with the slatted fence left for a later zoning amendment (passed 3-1, Feb. 2026).

Empire City Council minutes, Feb. 24, 2026 · Feb 24, 2026Link

Traffic safety

Jul 22, 2025

Keeping the speed limit on 197th Street W. from Biscayne Ave. to State Highway 3 at 30 mph

Result as recorded: passed 4-1, July 2025

  • YesDanny RubioVoted yes on keeping the speed limit on 197th Street W. from Biscayne Ave. to State Highway 3 at 30 mph (passed 4-1, July 2025).
  • YesEric HansonVoted yes on keeping the speed limit on 197th Street W. from Biscayne Ave. to State Highway 3 at 30 mph (passed 4-1, July 2025).
  • YesMark PageVoted yes on keeping the speed limit on 197th Street W. from Biscayne Ave. to State Highway 3 at 30 mph (passed 4-1, July 2025).
  • YesMelanie LeeVoted yes on keeping the speed limit on 197th Street W. from Biscayne Ave. to State Highway 3 at 30 mph (passed 4-1, July 2025).
  • NoMarla VagtsVoted no on keeping the speed limit on 197th Street W. from Biscayne Ave. to State Highway 3 at 30 mph (passed 4-1, July 2025).

Empire City Council minutes, July 22, 2025 · Jul 22, 2025Link

Water tower

Jan 13, 2026

Resolution 2026-1C, approving a minor subdivision and variance for the proposed water tower parcel

Result as recorded: passed 5-0, Jan. 2026

  • YesDanny RubioVoted yes on Resolution 2026-1C, approving a minor subdivision and variance for the proposed water tower parcel (passed 5-0, Jan. 2026).
  • YesEric HansonVoted yes on Resolution 2026-1C, approving a minor subdivision and variance for the proposed water tower parcel (passed 5-0, Jan. 2026).
  • YesMark PageVoted yes on Resolution 2026-1C, approving a minor subdivision and variance for the proposed water tower parcel (passed 5-0, Jan. 2026).
  • YesMarla VagtsVoted yes on Resolution 2026-1C, approving a minor subdivision and variance for the proposed water tower parcel (passed 5-0, Jan. 2026).
  • YesMelanie LeeVoted yes on Resolution 2026-1C, approving a minor subdivision and variance for the proposed water tower parcel (passed 5-0, Jan. 2026).

Empire City Council minutes, Jan. 13, 2026 · Jan 13, 2026Link

Sep 22, 2026

Moving forward with Bolton & Menk for the 2027 water tower rehabilitation project

Result as recorded: passed 5-0, Sept. 2026

  • YesDanny RubioVoted yes on moving forward with Bolton & Menk for the 2027 water tower rehabilitation project (passed 5-0, Sept. 2026).
  • YesEric HansonVoted yes on moving forward with Bolton & Menk for the 2027 water tower rehabilitation project (passed 5-0, Sept. 2026).
  • YesMark PageVoted yes on moving forward with Bolton & Menk for the 2027 water tower rehabilitation project (passed 5-0, Sept. 2026).
  • YesMarla VagtsVoted yes on moving forward with Bolton & Menk for the 2027 water tower rehabilitation project (passed 5-0, Sept. 2026).
  • YesMelanie LeeVoted yes on moving forward with Bolton & Menk for the 2027 water tower rehabilitation project (passed 5-0, Sept. 2026).

Empire City Council minutes, Sept. 22, 2026 · Sep 22, 2026Link

A “—” means the line records something other than a plain yes or no (a motion, an abstention, or two votes in one line); read the line itself. How this guide works