Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Inver Grove Heights City Council Election 2026

2 of 5

council seats up

Vote for up to 2

4 candidates

Updated Oct 5, 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

Matt MillsDirector of operations who has lived in Inver Grove Heights for eight years.5sourced
Tony ScalesIncumbentCouncilmember; term ends December 31, 202611sourced
Kevin SethreConsultant and former Parks and Recreation Commission chair who now serves on the Environmental Commission.3sourced
Mary T'KachIncumbentCouncilmember; term ends December 31, 202612sourced

Voters choose two councilmembers at large. The mayor and two other councilmembers are not on the ballot.

3 notes on these statements

Four candidates are running for two at-large council seats: Matt Mills, Tony Scales, Kevin Sethre and Mary T'Kach. West St. Paul Reader · Sep 24, 2026

Mary T'Kach and Tony Scales are the incumbents whose terms end December 31, 2026. City of Inver Grove Heights

Kevin Sethre did not respond to the West St. Paul Reader candidate questionnaire. West St. Paul Reader · Sep 24, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Brenda DietrichMayor; term ends December 31, 20282sourced Sue GlivaCouncilmember; term ends December 31, 20283sourced John MurphyCouncilmember; term ends December 31, 20283sourced

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 decidesData center moratorium and lawsuit, 2027 property tax levy, Central maintenance facility Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Early in-person voting at City Hall begins

Fri, Oct 16, 2026

All key dates

What the next council decides

Data center moratorium and lawsuit

Where it standsThe council passed a one-year data center moratorium, then amended it in September to exempt the one proposed project after the developer sued.

What's on the tableHow long the moratorium lasts, what zoning limits apply to future data centers, and how the city handles the pending lawsuit and the proposed project.

The City Council voted 3-2 on June 26, 2026 to approve a one-year moratorium on data center development. City of Inver Grove Heights
QLevr filed a lawsuit in Dakota County District Court in July over the moratorium. MPR News · Sep 15, 2026
City officials said the lawsuit could cost the city at least $20 million in damages if it lost. MPR News · Sep 15, 2026
The council approved the third and final reading of the ordinance removing the proposed data center from the moratorium on September 14. City of Inver Grove Heights

2027 property tax levy

Where it standsThe council approved a preliminary 2027 levy in September; it can be lowered but not raised before the final vote in December.

What's on the tableThe final 2027 levy and the city budget it funds.

State law requires a preliminary levy by the end of September, and it can be lowered but not raised before final approval in December. West St. Paul Reader · Sep 23, 2026
The Reader listed the Inver Grove Heights preliminary levy increase at 7.19%, or $116 for a home valued at $376,800. West St. Paul Reader · Sep 23, 2026

Central maintenance facility

Where it standsThe council is revisiting the scope of the proposed facility and exploring financing options other than bonds.

What's on the tableWhether to build, shrink or renovate the facility and how to pay for it.

A needs analysis found the current facility is only 45% of the size needed for current operations. City of Inver Grove Heights
The estimated cost was $52 million when the council discussed financing the project with general obligation bonds in July 2025. City of Inver Grove Heights
The city received a petition with approximately 2,000 signatures requesting a public vote on financing the project with capital improvement bonds. City of Inver Grove Heights
The council scheduled an October 5 work session to revisit the project. City of Inver Grove Heights

Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame development

Where it standsThe council has approved design work for a proposed Hockey Hall of Fame development, with city spending partly offset by state grant funding.

What's on the tableHow much the city commits to the project as funding from the state and private sources is decided.

The financing plan presented in March 2026 included $14,000,000 from the City through cash, grants and debt levy. Inver Grove Heights City Council minutes, Mar 23 2026 · Mar 23, 2026
The recommended work order for schematic plans and a traffic assessment was $388,855. Inver Grove Heights City Council minutes, Mar 23 2026 · Mar 23, 2026

City response to federal immigration enforcement

Where it standsResidents have asked the council for public statements and assistance, and the council has discussed what role the city can take.

What's on the tableWhether the council adopts a policy, resolution or communications plan on immigration enforcement.

At the February 9, 2026 meeting, residents asked the council for public leadership and transparency about immigration enforcement activity. Inver Grove Heights City Council minutes, Feb 9 2026 · Feb 9, 2026
The city attorney said cities are taking different approaches and that it is ultimately a policy decision for the Council. Inver Grove Heights City Council minutes, Feb 9 2026 · Feb 9, 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. What should Inver Grove Heights do about data centers?
2. What should the council do about the proposed 2027 property tax levy?
3. What should the city do about the central maintenance facility?
4. Should the city keep spending on the Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame development?
5. What role should the city take when federal immigration enforcement affects residents?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

Early and absentee voting beginsMinnesota Secretary of StateSep 18, 2026
Early in-person voting at City Hall beginsCity of Inver Grove HeightsOct 16, 2026
Election DayCity of Inver Grove HeightsNov 3, 2026

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Brenda Dietrich, Sue Gliva, John Murphy2 on this ballot

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

The city's five elected officials are a mayor and four council members, each serving a four-year term. City of Inver Grove Heights
Council member terms are staggered, so only two council members are elected every other year. City of Inver Grove Heights
The two council seats on the November 3, 2026 ballot are four-year terms. City of Inver Grove Heights

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