Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Owatonna City Council Election 2026

4 of 7

council seats up

4 contests

13 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 At Large · 1 seat

Dan BoekeIncumbentCouncil Member at Large; term ends 20264sourced
Tony JurowskiTony Jurowski lists his profession as retired in a Ballotpedia candidate survey.3sourced
Joseph PetersenJoseph Petersen is a retired licensed alcohol and drug counselor who drives a school bus part-time.2sourced

City Council Ward 1 · 1 seat

City Council Ward 3 · 1 seat

City Council Ward 5 · 1 seat

Everyone in the city votes for the at-large council member; Wards 1, 3 and 5 also each elect a council member to represent the ward. All four seats carry four-year terms.

2 notes on these statements

The city roster lists terms ending in 2026 for Council Members Dan Boeke (At Large), Nathan Dotson (First Ward), David C. Burbank (Third Ward) and Brent L. Svenby (Fifth Ward). City of Owatonna · Sep 18, 2026

A separate city question on the same ballot asks whether Owatonna may issue up to $65,000,000 in general obligation bonds for new police and fire facilities. Owatonna People's Press

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Matt JessopMayor; term ends 2028bio only Don McCannCouncil Member, Ward 2; term ends 20283sourced Kevin RaneyCouncil Member, Ward 4, and Council President; term ends 20282sourced Doug VossCouncil Member at Large; term ends 20283sourced

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 decides$65 million police and fire facilities bond, City property tax levy and budget, Tax increment financing for 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

$65 million police and fire facilities bond

Where it standsA $65 million general obligation bond question for new police and fire stations is on the Nov. 3 ballot after a resident petition.

What's on the tableWhether and how to carry out the police and fire facilities plan after voters decide the bond question.

The ballot asks whether the city may issue general obligation bonds not to exceed $65,000,000 to acquire, construct and equip new public safety facilities for the police and fire departments. Owatonna People's Press
MPR reported nearly 2,500 residents signed a petition that forced the bonding question onto the ballot. MPR News · Apr 16, 2026
On Feb. 4, 2026 the council approved Resolution 20-26 setting a public hearing on the plan and bonds, six members voting aye and Council Member Boeke voting nay. Owatonna City Council minutes, Feb 4, 2026 · Feb 4, 2026
On Jun. 16, 2026 the council approved Resolution 56-26 calling a special election on the bond question with the Nov. 3, 2026 general election. Owatonna City Council minutes, Jun 16, 2026 · Jun 16, 2026

City property tax levy and budget

Where it standsThe council adopted the 2026 levy with a 9.9% increase in December 2025, down from the 13% preliminary increase.

What's on the tableFuture annual property tax levies and city budgets.

The preliminary 2026 levy increase of 13% was reduced to 9.9% before the council adopted the final 2026 budget of $52,027,793 and a general government levy of $18,916,728 on Dec. 16, 2025. Owatonna City Council minutes, Dec 16, 2025 · Dec 16, 2025
The Dec. 16, 2025 vote was five ayes, with nay votes cast by Council Members Svenby and Dotson. Owatonna City Council minutes, Dec 16, 2025 · Dec 16, 2025

Tax increment financing for development

Where it standsIn January 2026 the council established TIF District 22-1 for the Ascend South project downtown.

What's on the tableWhether to keep using tax increment financing for development projects.

The Ascend South project includes 21,107 square feet of commercial space and 57 apartments; the present-day value of the TIF going to the developer is $2,726,000. Owatonna City Council minutes, Jan 6, 2026 · Jan 6, 2026
The TIF district runs up to 26 years, and the city will collect 5% of the TIF for administration costs. Owatonna City Council minutes, Jan 6, 2026 · Jan 6, 2026

Community center and local sales tax

Where it standsThe council hired a lobbyist to ask the Legislature to allow a vote on a 0.5-cent local sales tax for a community center.

What's on the tableWhether to keep pursuing a community center funded by a local sales tax.

The community center is estimated to cost approximately $75 million, and a 0.5-cent local sales tax would generate at least $1.99 million annually. Owatonna City Council minutes, Jan 6, 2026 · Jan 6, 2026
State law requires legislative approval and a local voter referendum before a local sales tax can be enacted. Owatonna City Council minutes, Jan 6, 2026 · Jan 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. A $65 million bond for new police and fire stations is on the ballot. Where do you stand on the plan?
2. The council adopted a 9.9% levy increase for 2026 after staff first proposed 13%. What should it do on future levies?
3. The council uses tax increment financing (TIF) to support development projects. What should it do?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

Early voting begins (absentee, by mail or in person)Minnesota Secretary of State · Jan 22, 2026Sep 18, 2026
Pre-registration deadline (you can still register at the polls)Minnesota Secretary of State · Jan 22, 2026Oct 13, 2026
Election DayMinnesota Secretary of State · Jan 22, 2026Nov 3, 2026

The seat math

4 stay (not up this year): Matt Jessop, Don McCann, Kevin Raney, Doug Voss4 on this ballot

7 council seats. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.

The Nov. 3, 2026 city election fills four council seats: one at large and one each in Wards 1, 3 and 5. City of Owatonna
All four seats on this ballot are four-year terms. Owatonna People's Press
The council meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. City of Owatonna · Sep 18, 2026

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