Waite Park Mayor · Nov 3, 2026
Kenneth
Schmitt
Kenneth Schmitt, the incumbent, is running for mayor of Waite Park in the Nov 3, 2026 election, unopposed.
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Background
- About
- Kenneth Schmitt has been mayor of Waite Park since January 1, 2025. His current two-year term ends December 31, 2026.
- Occupation (from candidate statement)
- Nonpartisan
On the record: Kenneth Schmitt
13 sourced0123rd Avenue project1 sourced position
Voted for the resolution ordering road and utility improvements and plans for 23rd Avenue South (3-2, failed for lack of a four-fifths vote, Aug. 2026).
Council voteCity of Waite Park · Sep 14, 2026LinkHow the council voted
02Personnel board1 sourced position
Voted for the resolution placing the question of abolishing the Civil Service Personnel Board on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot (passed 4-1, July 2026).
Council voteCity of Waite Park · Sep 14, 2026LinkHow the council voted
03Data centers1 sourced position
Voted to adopt a moratorium on uses associated with data centers (passed unanimously, May 2026).
Council voteCity of Waite Park · Jun 15, 2026LinkHow the council voted
04Water treatment and PFAS1 sourced position
Voted to approve a PFAS pilot study and preliminary engineering for PFAS mitigation and water treatment plant upgrades (passed unanimously, June 2026).
Council voteCity of Waite Park · Jul 20, 2026LinkHow the council voted
05Fire chief hiring3 sourced positions
Voted for the fire chief job description requiring a four-year degree, with the position moved to pay grade 11 (passed 3-2, Feb. 2026).
Council voteCity of Waite Park · Apr 6, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted against appointing Shawn Downs as fire chief with all the pay and moving terms he requested (failed 2-3, June 2026).
Council voteCity of Waite Park · Jul 20, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted to appoint Shawn Downs as fire chief, with the $10,000 moving payment made only if he lives in Waite Park within one year of hire (passed unanimously, June 2026).
Council voteCity of Waite Park · Jul 20, 2026LinkHow the council voted
06Billboards1 sourced position
Voted for a conditional use permit for a digital billboard by RHL Inc. along Highway 23 (passed 4-1, June 2026).
Council voteCity of Waite Park · Jul 20, 2026LinkHow the council voted
07Park fees1 sourced position
Voted for raising Community Park rental fees by $10 starting in 2027 (passed 3-2, Feb. 2026).
Council voteCity of Waite Park · Apr 6, 2026LinkHow the council voted
08City levy1 sourced position
in a 2024 WJON interview, when he ran for mayor
Said in 2024 that a top issue for him was making residents more aware of how their tax dollars are being spent.
Make them more aware of what's going on, and how their tax dollars are being spent.”
Own statementWJON · Oct 22, 2024Link
09Growth1 sourced position
in a 2024 WJON interview, when he ran for mayor
Said in 2024 that he would like to see more residential development and some mixed-use development in Waite Park.
Realistically I'd like to see some more residential, I wouldn't mind seeing some mixed-use done.”
Own statementWJON · Oct 22, 2024Link
10Fire department1 sourced position
in a 2024 WJON interview, when he ran for mayor
Said in 2024 that a merger of the fire department with other area cities is probably likely.
Own statementWJON · Oct 22, 2024Link
11Past candidacy1 sourced position
Ran for Mayor of Waite Park in 2024 (won).
Own statementWJON · Nov 5, 2024Link
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