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Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Monticello Mayor & City Council Election 2026

3 of 5 council seats are on the ballot, with 7 candidates running. Updated Oct 5, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check

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Nov 3Election Day

How to vote · 11 days left

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Election Day, polls open 7 AM to 8 PM (Nov 3): the election office's notice

These links go to official state and county election sites. Hours and rules differ by state; your election office has the final word.

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

Voters choose the mayor (a two-year term) and two of four councilmember seats (four-year terms). Councilmembers Lee Martie and Kip Christianson hold seats through December 2028.

Election Day, polls open 7 AM to 8 PM · Nov 3

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Also on your Nov 3 ballot

We research city races only. For these races, go to the state's official guide or a nonpartisan one.

Official voter lookupState voter guideVote411 (League of Women Voters)

Districts come from 2020 Census blocks and the district maps for this election. Your address decides your districts.

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

What the next council decides

01Proposed Monticello Tech data center4 sourced facts

Where it standsThe Planning Commission holds a public hearing on Monticello Tech's rezoning, conditional use permit and preliminary plat on Oct 6; the applications have not been scheduled for council action.

What's on the tableWhether the council rezones the land and grants the permits for the proposed data center campus under the ordinance it adopted in April.

022027 property tax levy4 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council unanimously approved a preliminary 2027 city levy of just over $16 million; the final levy is set in December.

What's on the tableThe final 2027 levy and budget, which can be lowered from the preliminary figure but not raised.

  • The council approved a preliminary 2027 city tax levy of just over $16 million, up $883,000, or 5.83%, from 2026. Monticello Times
  • The final levy is scheduled for adoption in December and can be lowered but not increased. Monticello Times
  • The 2026A lease revenue bonds are being used to help pay for the new public works facility. Monticello Times
  • The truth-in-taxation hearing is scheduled for Dec 14, when the council is expected to adopt the final 2027 levy and budget. Monticello Times
03Downtown redevelopment3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe Economic Development Authority is continuing downtown redevelopment work, funded in part by its own special benefit levy.

What's on the tableHow much of the EDA's downtown and redevelopment work the council continues to fund through its levy.

  • Council members approved the Monticello EDA's proposed $555,000 special benefit levy for 2027. Monticello Times
  • The EDA levy helps fund economic development and redevelopment work, including downtown redevelopment and the Downtown Facade Improvement Program. Monticello Times
  • Mayor Hilgart said the EDA has invested roughly $600,000 or more into downtown facade projects since the program began. Monticello Times
04Growth and city infrastructure3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe city is building a new water treatment plant and public works facility while commercial and industrial property values rise.

What's on the tableHow fast the city grows, how it pays for major infrastructure, and how the tax base is shared among property types.

  • The city's tax capacity is estimated to increase by 6.8%, and commercial and industrial properties saw the largest valuation increase. Monticello Times
  • The city has budgeted $45 million for the new water treatment plant and received $11 million from the state. Monticello Times
  • On Aug 10 the council approved the final plat and final planned unit development for the Public Works facility; 62.8 acres to the west are retained for future residential development. Monticello Times
2 notes on these statements

Theodore Franklin Roberts filed for mayor on July 20 and withdrew three days later; he is not a candidate. Monticello Times

Jeff Rowan said at filing that he was still deciding whether to remain in the race; he remained in the race as of the filing deadline. Monticello Times

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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. 1. What should the council do with the proposed Monticello Tech data center?

  2. 2. What should the council do with the data center ordinance it adopted in April?

  3. 3. How should the city approach downtown redevelopment?

  4. 4. How should Monticello approach the pace of growth?

Seat the councilSeat the Council →Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.New · How Monticello is runWho runs Monticello, and what it costsThe city administrator earns $168,430. See council pay, whether the city is in the red, and where your property tax goes.

Key dates

The seat math

2 stay (not up this year): Kip Christianson, Lee Martie3 on this ballot

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

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