Warroad City Council · Nov 3, 2026
Joe
Olafson
Joe Olafson, the incumbent, is running for Warroad City Council in the Nov 3, 2026 election; 3 candidates are running for 2 seats.
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The race · City Council
- 01Joe OlafsonYou’re reading
- 02Doug Thomasson
- 03Brad Woodward
Background
- About
- Warroad City Council member who serves on the Airport Commission, Planning Commission and Port Authority.
- Occupation (from candidate statement)
- Nonpartisan
Joe Olafson, Doug Thomasson and Brad Woodward are running for two City Council seats. Minnesota Secretary of State
On the record: Joe Olafson
17 sourced01Budget and taxes4 sourced positions
as reported by KQ92; not a direct quote
Says that in a budget shortfall the city should first protect police, fire and ambulance, then water, sewer, utilities and streets.
Forum answerKQ92 · Oct 14, 2026Link
as reported by KQ92; not a direct quote
Says bonding could be considered for major projects, but only carefully.
Forum answerKQ92 · Oct 14, 2026Link
Voted yes on the 2026 preliminary budget with an increase of 10% (passed unanimously, Sept. 2025).
Council voteCity of Warroad · Sep 22, 2025LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on approving the 2026 budget (passed unanimously, Dec. 2025).
Council voteCity of Warroad · Dec 8, 2025LinkHow the council voted
02Outdoor pool2 sourced positions
as reported by KQ92; not a direct quote
Says later regional park phases or outdoor pool funding might need to be delayed if funding were unavailable.
Forum answerKQ92 · Oct 14, 2026Link
Voted yes on the city operating the outdoor pool for summer 2026 and reviewing operations before 2027 (passed unanimously, May 2026).
Council voteCity of Warroad · May 26, 2026LinkHow the council voted
03Priorities1 sourced position
as reported by KQ92; not a direct quote
Lists infrastructure repairs, housing, business growth and the Highway 11 and Lake Street intersection as priorities.
Forum answerKQ92 · Oct 14, 2026Link
04Regional park and harbor1 sourced position
Voted yes on approving final plans and specs for the harbor project and advertising for bids (passed 5-0, April 2025).
Council voteCity of Warroad · Apr 14, 2025LinkHow the council voted
05Ambulance1 sourced position
Voted yes on not keeping the 2013 ambulance as a backup once the new ambulance arrives (passed 3-2, July 2025).
Council voteCity of Warroad · Jul 14, 2025LinkHow the council voted
06Cannabis1 sourced position
Voted yes on changing the zoning ordinance to list 'Cannabis Retailer' as a permitted business in C-2 (passed unanimously, July 2025).
Council voteCity of Warroad · Jul 14, 2025LinkHow the council voted
07Utility rates2 sourced positions
Voted yes on Resolution 2025-17 setting 2026 utility rates and adding a storm water charge (passed unanimously, Nov. 2025).
Council voteCity of Warroad · Nov 10, 2025LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on Resolution 2026-03 adopting retail power rates, a 7% increase on kwh (passed unanimously, April 2026).
Council voteCity of Warroad · Apr 13, 2026LinkHow the council voted
08Housing1 sourced position
Voted yes on approving a housing study at a cost of $57,000 (passed unanimously, Feb. 2026).
Council voteCity of Warroad · Feb 23, 2026LinkHow the council voted
09Railroad siding2 sourced positions
Voted yes on supporting a joint letter to the CN and MnDOT opposing the railroad siding location (passed unanimously, May 2026).
Council voteCity of Warroad · May 11, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on sending a letter to the CN and other officials stating the city's position on the proposed railroad siding east of town (passed unanimously, July 2026).
Council voteCity of Warroad · Jul 13, 2026LinkHow the council voted
10City property1 sourced position
Voted yes on a new lease agreement with Warroad Ventures for the LOW Brewery property, including assumption of its Port Authority loan (passed unanimously, May 2026).
Council voteCity of Warroad · May 11, 2026LinkHow the council voted
11Solar lease1 sourced position
Voted yes on authorizing the Mayor and City Administrator to sign the solar agreement (passed unanimously, July 2026).
Council voteCity of Warroad · Jul 27, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Every claim links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
Joe Olafson: their words and their votes on the same issue
Budget and taxes
In their words
Says that in a budget shortfall the city should first protect police, fire and ambulance, then water, sewer, utilities and streets.
Oct 14, 2026 ·as reported by KQ92; not a direct quote ·KQ92 · Oct 14, 2026
Says bonding could be considered for major projects, but only carefully.
Oct 14, 2026 ·as reported by KQ92; not a direct quote ·KQ92 · Oct 14, 2026
On the record
Voted yes on the 2026 preliminary budget with an increase of 10% (passed unanimously, Sept. 2025).
Sep 22, 2025 ·City of Warroad · Sep 22, 2025
Voted yes on approving the 2026 budget (passed unanimously, Dec. 2025).
Dec 8, 2025 ·City of Warroad · Dec 8, 2025
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