Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Maple Grove Mayor & City Council Election 2026

3 of 5

council seats up

2 contests

7 candidates

Updated Oct 2, 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

Joshua R. BairdSmall business contractor and paid-on-call firefighter; has also worked in retail management and as a school bus driver. Said at the forum this is his first run for political office.6sourced
Mark SteffensonIncumbentMayor · term ends Dec 31, 202613sourced

City Council · Vote for up to 2

Three of the five council seats are on this ballot: the mayor, elected directly (Mark Steffenson vs. Joshua R. Baird), and two at-large council seats, which go to the top two vote-getters among five candidates.

2 notes on these statements

Joshua Baird did not submit responses to the Osseo-Maple Grove Press voters guide by its deadline. Osseo-Maple Grove Press · Sep 17, 2026

Kristy Barnett is a former City Council member (2017-2024), not the incumbent. Osseo-Maple Grove Press · Sep 17, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Jon McCulloughCouncil Member · term ends Dec 31, 20286sourced Mike OstaffeCouncil Member · term ends Dec 31, 20286sourced

Start here

Match quiz6 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesProperty taxes and the 2027 budget, Centralized water softening, Housing and development 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 21, 2026 the council approved a preliminary 2027 levy of $53.988 million, 6.18% more than 2026. It can be lowered but not raised before the final vote in December.

What's on the tableThe final 2027 levy and budget in December 2026, and the budgets for the following years.

The preliminary 2027 levy is $53.988 million, a 6.18% increase over the 2026 levy of $49.998 million. Osseo-Maple Grove Press · Sep 28, 2026
A home at the average market value of $453,600 would see a $40.57 increase in city taxes. Osseo-Maple Grove Press · Sep 28, 2026
The proposal adds a police community engagement coordinator and a school resource officer. Osseo-Maple Grove Press · Sep 28, 2026
The 2026 levy rose 6.35%, adopted by a 5-0 vote in December 2025. City Council minutes · Dec 15, 2025

Centralized water softening

Where it standsThe city is studying whether to soften all city water at its treatment plant as it plans to expand the plant. No decision has been made.

What's on the tableWhether to build centralized softening, and how much water rates would rise to pay for it.

Maple Grove's water averages about 26 grains per gallon of hardness; centralized softening would lower it to about 6. City of Maple Grove
The city's water demand may outgrow current treatment capacity within the next decade. City of Maple Grove
The public works director estimated a retrofit would cost at least $100 million and raise most bills about $30 a month per 6,000 gallons. CCX Media · Jun 26, 2026
In the 2026 community survey, residents' opinions on centralized water softening were divided. City Council minutes · Jul 20, 2026

Housing and development

Where it standsThe council approves housing and commercial projects one at a time under the city's comprehensive plan, including recent affordable senior apartments on city land.

What's on the tableWhich projects to approve, what mix of rentals and single-family homes to allow, and whether to back more affordable housing.

Fernbrook Senior Housing is a city-initiated project of 90 affordable 55+ units on city-owned land. City Council minutes · May 18, 2026
In July 2025 the council extended the affordable housing covenant for CommonBond's Lakeshore Townhomes through 2035, 3-2. City Council minutes · Jul 21, 2025
In February 2026 the council approved the Oppidan senior living concept plan 3-1; Council Member Ostaffe said he wanted high-density apartments removed from mixed-use areas. City Council minutes · Feb 2, 2026

At-large seats or wards

Where it standsAll council members are elected at large, citywide. Candidates were asked at the League of Women Voters forum whether the city should create wards.

What's on the tableWhether to study or propose electing some council members by ward.

Maple Grove is governed by a mayor and four council members, all serving four-year terms. City of Maple Grove
City council members serve at large. City of Maple Grove

Police cameras and license plate readers

Where it standsPolice use the Axon system and are finalizing a two-year retail theft pilot with Flock Safety cameras at some businesses.

What's on the tableWhether to allow more camera and plate-reader use, and what limits to set on the data.

In April 2026 the police chief said a two-year retail theft pilot using Flock Safety cameras with some Maple Grove businesses was being finalized. City Council work session minutes · Apr 6, 2026
The police department is exploring Drone as First Responder and real-time crime center programs. City Council work session minutes · Apr 6, 2026
In February 2026 a resident asked the council to end the city's contract with Flock, citing privacy concerns. City Council minutes · Feb 17, 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. How large should Maple Grove's yearly tax levy increases be?
2. Should the city add centralized water softening to its treatment plant?
3. What kind of new housing should Maple Grove favor?
4. Should the city use its land and approvals to add or keep income-restricted affordable housing?
5. Should Maple Grove elect some council members by ward?
6. How should police use cameras and license plate readers?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

Absentee voting begins (by mail or at Hennepin County Elections)City of Maple Grove news · Sep 9, 2026Sep 18, 2026
Pre-registration deadline (you can still register at the polls)Minnesota Secretary of State · Jan 22, 2026Oct 13, 2026
Early in-person voting begins at the Maple Grove Government CenterCity of Maple Grove news · Sep 9, 2026Oct 16, 2026
Election Day (polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.)City of Maple Grove news · Sep 9, 2026Nov 3, 2026

The seat math

2 stay (not up this year): Jon McCullough, Mike Ostaffe3 on this ballot

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

The City Council is a mayor and four council members, all serving four-year terms. City of Maple Grove
City council members serve at large; city elections are held in the fall of even-numbered years. City of Maple Grove
On the Nov 3, 2026 ballot: mayor (one position) and council member (two positions), each a four-year term. City of Maple Grove
The City Administrator, Heidi Nelson, is the council's chief of staff. City of Maple Grove

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