Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Lakeville Mayor & City Council Election 2026

3 of 5

council seats up

2 contests

9 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.

Mayor · 1 seat

Michael BurnettLakeville resident who says he has spent over 20 years building public infrastructure.4sourced
Luke HellierIncumbentMayor; term expires Dec. 31, 20268sourced
Aiden VanBeckAerospace worker and University of St. Thomas alumnus who has lived in Lakeville since childhood.3sourced

City Council · Vote for up to 2

Voters are choosing the mayor and two City Council members, all for four-year terms.

1 note on these statements

Mayor and City Council candidates appeared together at a Sept. 16 forum moderated by Mike Forbord of the Lakeville Chamber board. Sun Thisweek

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

John BermelCouncilmember; term expires Dec. 31, 20284sourced Dan WolterCouncilmember; term expires Dec. 31, 20284sourced

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

Start here

Match quiz3 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesPace of residential growth, Data centers, Water treatment capacity Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Early in-person voting begins

Fri, Oct 16, 2026

All key dates

What the next council decides

Pace of residential growth

Where it standsThe council approved a Residential Interim Ordinance on April 20, 2026; staff had described a draft meant to pause new residential applications.

What's on the tableWhether and how to manage the pace of new housing as the city updates its long-range plans.

Staff described a draft interim ordinance intended to pause acceptance of new residential development applications while long-range growth impacts are evaluated. Lakeville City Council minutes, Apr 6, 2026 · Apr 6, 2026
The council approved the Residential Interim Ordinance on a 5-0 roll call. Lakeville City Council minutes, Apr 20, 2026 · Apr 20, 2026
Minutes of the April 6 discussion note the city currently has a supply of approved buildable lots. Lakeville City Council minutes, Apr 6, 2026 · Apr 6, 2026

Data centers

Where it standsA court ruled for the city in a lawsuit over its environmental review of an industrial site; the plaintiffs say no data center is currently planned.

What's on the tableWhether and under what rules data centers could be built in Lakeville.

Dakota County District Court granted summary judgment for the city and Olam Holdings 1 LLC in a lawsuit over the city's approval of an AUAR for property in the business park. Sun Thisweek
The Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy said it is pleased the lawsuit clarified that, at least as of now, no data center is planned. Sun Thisweek
On Aug. 3 the council approved zoning amendments excluding Sec. 52, 53 and 54(d); minutes say draft data center language was removed for future discussion. Lakeville City Council minutes, Aug 3, 2026 · Aug 3, 2026

Water treatment capacity

Where it standsThe council has approved preliminary engineering for a satellite water treatment plant on a 4-1 vote.

What's on the tableHow to expand water treatment capacity and how to finance it.

The council approved a supplemental agreement with Black & Veatch for preliminary engineering for the satellite water treatment plant, City Project No. 27-13, on a 4-1 vote. Lakeville City Council minutes, May 4, 2026 · May 4, 2026
In April, council discussion of a Water Treatment Expansion Study included the benefits of a satellite facility as backup during a natural disaster or cybersecurity incident. Lakeville City Council minutes, Apr 6, 2026 · Apr 6, 2026

Property taxes and the 2027 budget

Where it standsThe council's Sept. 8, 2026 agenda included an action item on the preliminary 2027 property levy and budget.

What's on the tableThe final 2027 property levy and budget.

The Sept. 8, 2026 council agenda lists an action item to approve the preliminary 2027 property levy and budget. Lakeville City Council agenda, Sept 8, 2026 · Sep 8, 2026
For 2026, the council adopted a preliminary levy with a 7.03% increase that would generate $52.3 million. Sun Thisweek
In the 2026 cycle the council could decrease or maintain the proposed levy after the public hearing but not exceed it. Sun Thisweek

Community center and facilities

Where it standsA community facilities study is under way as part of the Park System Master Plan; no council action has been taken.

What's on the tableWhether to pursue a future community center and where to site it.

The July 6 minutes say preliminary survey results showed broad support for a future community center. Lakeville City Council minutes, Jul 6, 2026 · Jul 6, 2026
Councilmembers discussed the city's current shortage of indoor recreational space and asked that potential future facility sites be evaluated. Lakeville City Council minutes, Jul 6, 2026 · Jul 6, 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 Lakeville do about data center proposals?
2. How should Lakeville add water treatment capacity?
3. Should Lakeville plan a new community or rec center?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

Absentee voting beginsCity of Lakeville · Sep 18, 2026Sep 18, 2026
Early in-person voting beginsCity of Lakeville · Sep 18, 2026Oct 16, 2026
Election DayCity of Lakeville · Sep 18, 2026Nov 3, 2026

The seat math

2 stay (not up this year): John Bermel, Dan Wolter3 on this ballot

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

The City Council is the mayor and four council members. City of Lakeville
Offices to be elected in 2026 are Mayor (4-year term) and two City Council members (4-year terms). City of Lakeville

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