Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Savage City Council Election 2026

2 of 5

council seats up

Vote for up to 2

4 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 · Vote for up to 2

Stacy CrakesIncumbentCouncilmember; term ends December 31, 20264sourced
Brian EwoldtDirector of operations at a software company, resident of Savage since 2006. He has held PTO and Scouting volunteer roles.4sourced
Tai TranPolitical organizer and University of Minnesota, Twin Cities graduate who attended Burnsville High School.4sourced
Thomas WavraDigital marketing professional and former founder and CEO of SWILL Beverages, Savage resident since 2006.3sourced

Two council seats are on the ballot, and the filing list says voters elect two council members.

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Megan AlfordCouncilmember; term ends December 31, 2028bio only Matt JohnsonCouncilmember; term ends December 31, 2028bio only Christine KellyMayor; term ends December 31, 2028bio only

Start here

Match quiz4 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesCity budget and property taxes, Fire department staffing, Parks and downtown plans Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Early in-person voting begins at Savage City Hall

Fri, Oct 16, 2026

All key dates

What the next council decides

City budget and property taxes

Where it standsThe city's budget page describes the 2026 budget, with a preliminary levy set in September and lowered by staff before the December final.

What's on the tableHow large the city's annual levy increase is and what it funds.

The city says it set a preliminary 2026 tax levy of 8.7% in September and identified $678,000 in savings before finalizing. City of Savage
The city says only 1/3 of a property tax bill goes to the City of Savage. City of Savage
The city says approximately 50% of its budget supports local public safety services. City of Savage

Fire department staffing

Where it standsSavage Fire moved in July 2021 from a paid-on-call model to a combination of full-time and part-time firefighters.

What's on the tableHow the city staffs and funds fire and emergency response.

In July 2021 Savage Fire transitioned from a paid-on-call department to a combination full-time and part-time service model. City of Savage · Aug 18, 2022
The city's 2026 budget page says State Fire Aid money can now help pay firefighter salaries and benefits, saving about $250,000. City of Savage

Parks and downtown plans

Where it standsThe council adopted a Parks Master Plan in 2023 and a downtown vision plan in 2024; implementation and funding are next.

What's on the tableWhich parks and downtown projects get priority and funding.

The Savage City Council adopted the Parks Master Plan on November 6, 2023. Let's Talk Savage
Council approved the Downtown Savage Redevelopment Vision Plan on December 16, 2024. Let's Talk Savage

Highway 13 reconstruction

Where it standsMnDOT has begun preliminary engineering for reconstructing Highway 13 between Quentin Ave. in Savage and Nicollet Ave. in Burnsville.

What's on the tableHow Savage works with MnDOT and partners on the project and its local impacts.

MnDOT's project page says crews will reconstruct Hwy 13 between Quentin Ave. in Savage and Nicollet Ave. in Burnsville. MnDOT

Drinking water

Where it standsSavage blends water from three sources, including water bought from Burnsville.

What's on the tableHow the city secures safe, plentiful drinking water.

The city says it has a blended water system with three sources. City of Savage
The city says that from October to March it meets its entire water demand by purchasing water from Burnsville. City of Savage

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 should Savage set its annual property tax levy?
2. How active should the city be in recruiting business to broaden its tax base?
3. Should Savage allow AI data centers?
4. Should the city work with Scott County to build a public community college in Savage?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

Candidate filing period (July 14 to July 28)City of SavageJul 28, 2026
Absentee voting by mail beginsCity of SavageSep 18, 2026
Early in-person voting begins at Savage City HallCity of SavageOct 16, 2026
Election Day; polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.City of SavageNov 3, 2026

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Megan Alford, Matt Johnson, Christine Kelly2 on this ballot

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

The Savage City Council consists of a mayor and four council members who each serve 4-year terms. City of Savage
City elections are held in November of even-numbered years. City of Savage
The council meets at 7 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of the month. City of Savage
Council members also act as the city's Economic Development Authority. City of Savage

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