Luverne City Council Election 2026

Where it standsA citizen petition put a charter amendment on the Nov. 3 ballot that would move most control of the city's electric, water and wastewater utilities to a new Municipal Services Commission.

What's on the tableHow the council works with a new utility commission on rates, staff and the city budget if the amendment passes, or how it runs the utilities itself if it fails.

• The petition submitted on June 30, 2026 had 226 signatures, of which only 10 were found invalid. City of Luverne · Jul 28, 2026 ↗
• The city attorney’s office identified Section 2(f), providing for council removal of elected officials, as unconstitutional and conflicting with Minnesota Statutes, Section 410.20. City of Luverne · Jul 28, 2026 ↗
• The council found that provision is not integral to the amendment and ordered the amendment onto the Nov. 3, 2026 general election ballot. City of Luverne · Jul 28, 2026 ↗
• The petition committee said the amendment was modeled in part after Buffalo, Minnesota, with changes for local needs. City of Luverne · Jun 9, 2026 ↗

Where it standsThe city has had reports of yellow staining since 2018; neither the city's consultant nor the state has identified the source.

What's on the tableWhether to spend more on investigating the staining and what to tell affected residents.

• The city hired Braun Intertec in 2022 to investigate the staining, and that investigation ran from 2022 to 2024. City of Luverne · Aug 12, 2025 ↗
• By spring 2025 the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency concluded it could not identify the source of the staining. City of Luverne · Aug 12, 2025 ↗
• In September 2025 the council voted down a Braun proposal to expand the study to a 1-mile radius with air modeling and monitoring. City of Luverne · Sep 23, 2025 ↗

Where it standsIn May 2026 the council conveyed six city properties on McKenzie and East Maple streets to the Luverne Economic Development Authority for redevelopment.

What's on the tableWhether to approve development agreements and permits for housing on these lots.

• A modular housing proposal reviewed in February 2026 included duplexes, single-family homes priced between $269,000 and $289,000, and three-bedroom townhome rentals. City of Luverne · Feb 10, 2026 ↗
• The proposal was estimated to add $3.5 million to the tax base. City of Luverne · Feb 10, 2026 ↗
• The proposal will require a conditional use permit and further review by Planning and Zoning. City of Luverne · May 19, 2026 ↗

Where it standsThe city is extending Mayes Drive and utilities west to serve the planned Luv Modular manufacturing facility, with a second phase planned for 2027.

What's on the tableHow much city money to put into extending roads and utilities for industrial development.

• The city authorized applying for a state BDPI grant for the Mayes Drive extension and related utilities, committing a local match of roughly $850,000. City of Luverne · Jun 9, 2026 ↗
• The city received an $830,820 BDPI grant for the second phase of the Mayes Drive extension. City of Luverne · Aug 10, 2026 ↗
• The Luv Modular facility is anticipated to begin construction later in 2026 or in spring 2027. City of Luverne · Jul 28, 2026 ↗

Where it standsThe council adopted a 2026 levy of $3,789,392, a 6.25 percent increase, and will set the next levy in December 2026.

What's on the tableHow much to raise the levy and which projects and services to fund.

• The levy collectible in 2026 is $3,789,392, a 6.25 percent increase and $98,193 less than the preliminary levy set in September. City of Luverne · Dec 16, 2025 ↗
• Property taxes provide about 48.9 percent of 2026 General Fund revenues, up from 46 percent in 2025. City of Luverne · Dec 16, 2025 ↗
• In September 2025 the council set the preliminary levy at a 9 percent increase, with the intent to seek further reductions. City of Luverne · Sep 23, 2025 ↗