Perham City Council · Nov 3, 2026
Fred
Lehmkuhl
Fred Lehmkuhl, the incumbent, is running for Perham City Council in the Nov 3, 2026 election; 3 candidates are running for 2 seats.
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The race · City Council
- 01Taylor Altstadt
- 02Fred LehmkuhlYou’re reading
- 03Brad SchmidtIncumbent
Background
- About
- Perham City Council member and deputy mayor who is employed by Friesen's. He is third generation in a family farm equipment dealership and served 33 years with Perham EMS.
Brad Schmidt, Fred Lehmkuhl and Taylor Altstadt are the three candidates for two council seats. Otter Tail County · Nov 3, 2026
On the record: Fred Lehmkuhl
8 sourced01Growth and housing2 sourced positions
answer to the Perham Focus candidate questionnaire
Named a severe workforce shortage as the city's top challenge, with at least three jobs for every person.
Own statementPerham Focus · Sep 28, 2026Link
answer to the Perham Focus candidate questionnaire
Named affordable housing as a major concern and said expanding utilities for new housing would strain city finances.
A recent study shows we need 1,000 new housing units in the near future — this will put a strain on city finances as cost of expanding streets, water, sewer and gas utilities.”
Own statementPerham Focus · Sep 28, 2026Link
02Emergency services1 sourced position
answer to the Perham Focus candidate questionnaire
Named rural health and emergency services as a top challenge, citing supply and workforce costs, lower reimbursements and an aging population.
Own statementPerham Focus · Sep 28, 2026Link
03Property taxes2 sourced positions
answer to the Perham Focus candidate questionnaire
Said the city has strong financial management and healthy fund balances.
Strives to have conservative budget.”
Own statementPerham Focus · Sep 28, 2026Link
Voted yes on Resolution 2026-38, a preliminary 2027 tax levy increase of 4.78% including $10,000 more for parks (passed without a dissenting vote, September 2026).
Council votePerham City Council minutes, Sept. 14 and Sept. 30, 2026 · Sep 30, 2026LinkHow the council voted
04EMS joint powers agreement1 sourced position
Voted yes on the March 23, 2026 amendment to the EMS Joint Powers Agreement (passed 3-2, April 2026).
Council votePerham City Council minutes, April 13, 2026 · Apr 13, 2026LinkHow the council voted
05Food trucks1 sourced position
Voted yes on Ordinance 442, permitting and restricting mobile food units and peddlers (passed 4-1, February 2026).
Council votePerham City Council minutes, Feb. 9, 2026 · Feb 9, 2026LinkHow the council voted
06Past elections1 sourced position
Ran for Perham City Council in 2022 (won).
Own statementCity of Perham · Nov 8, 2022Link
Every claim links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
Fred Lehmkuhl: their words and their votes on the same issue
Property taxes
In their words
Said the city has strong financial management and healthy fund balances.
Sep 28, 2026 ·answer to the Perham Focus candidate questionnaire ·Perham Focus · Sep 28, 2026
On the record
Voted yes on Resolution 2026-38, a preliminary 2027 tax levy increase of 4.78% including $10,000 more for parks (passed without a dissenting vote, September 2026).
Sep 30, 2026 ·Perham City Council minutes, Sept. 14 and Sept. 30, 2026 · Sep 30, 2026
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