Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Woodbury Mayor & City Council Election 2026

3 of 5

council seats up

2 contests

12 candidates

Updated Oct 2, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

Mayor · 1 seat

Anne BurtIncumbentMayor, term expires Jan 4, 202710sourced
John SebastianFormer auditor (Certified Internal Auditor; passed the CPA exam) who spent more than two decades in strategy and operations at 3M. Former board president of History Theatre in St. Paul; 25-year Woodbury resident.7sourced

City Council at large · Vote for up to 2

Three of the five council seats are on this ballot: the mayor, elected directly (Anne Burt vs. John Sebastian), and two at-large council seats, which go to the top two vote-getters among ten candidates.

2 notes on these statements

Kim Wilson is listed as a candidate for State Representative District 47B. Minnesota Secretary of State

Soga William Mbilima did not respond to the Pioneer Press candidate questionnaire. Pioneer Press · Aug 23, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Donna StaffordCouncil Member, term expires Jan 1, 20295sourced Kim WilsonCouncil Member, term expires Jan 1, 20298sourced

Officeholders' pages compare what they've said with how they've voted, with sources.

Start here

Match quiz7 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesProperty taxes and the 2027 budget, Water and data centers, Housing and growth 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

Property taxes and the 2027 budget

Where it standsThe council set a preliminary 2027 levy of $60.9 million, a 5.9% increase, on Sept 23; the final levy is set Dec 9.

What's on the tableThe final 2027 levy and budget, and how future levies balance services against tax increases.

The preliminary 2027 property tax levy is $60,855,592, a 5.9% increase over 2026. City of Woodbury
The city estimates the median-value home's city tax will rise about 4.4%, or $65, in 2027. City of Woodbury
The 2026 levy rose 9.7%, which staff called the largest increase in the past 15 years; the council approved it 4-1. City Council minutes · Dec 10, 2025
The truth-in-taxation meeting and final levy adoption are scheduled for the Dec 9 council meeting. City of Woodbury

Water and data centers

Where it standsA permanent PFAS water treatment plant is under construction, and the council paused new data centers for up to a year in Sept 2026.

What's on the tablePermanent zoning rules for data centers and other high-volume water and sewer users, expected after a study.

Construction of the Woodbury Water Treatment Plant began in late 2024 and is expected to be completed in 2028. City of Woodbury
On Sept 23 the council voted 5-0 for a moratorium on data centers and other high-volume public infrastructure users while the city studies regulations. Pioneer Press · Sep 24, 2026
Woodbury has three existing data centers, two operated by IronGate and one owned by Medtronic, all on Bielenberg Drive. Pioneer Press · Sep 24, 2026
City Planner Eric Searles said none of the three data centers uses city water to cool servers; staff expect initial study findings in early 2027. Woodbury News Net

Housing and growth

Where it standsThe city is writing its 2050 Comprehensive Plan and adopted a master plan for about 370 acres along Cottage Grove Drive in May 2026.

What's on the tableLand use and housing mix in the 2050 Comprehensive Plan and approvals for new subdivisions.

The Cottage Grove Drive Master Plan covers about 370 acres south of Bailey Road and west of Manning Avenue; the council adopted it 4-1. City Council minutes · May 13, 2026
City staff said Woodbury's comprehensive plans have included a commitment to a housing mix of 50% single-family and 50% multifamily homes. City Council minutes · Dec 10, 2025

Public safety, privacy and immigration enforcement

Where it standsA Public Safety Campus project of about $59 million is under construction, and residents have pressed the council on license plate cameras and federal immigration enforcement.

What's on the tableRules for license plate reader cameras, and whether to adopt a binding policy on federal immigration enforcement and city property.

In July 2026 Woodbury Police began restricting outside agencies' access to its license plate reader data unless a supervisor approves a written request. City of Woodbury
On April 8, 2026, the mayor read a proclamation opposing a federal immigration detention center; it does not restrict use of city property. City Council minutes · Apr 8, 2026
City Administrator Jeffrey Dahl said Woodbury Public Safety has no 287(g) agreement with ICE and is not interested in pursuing one. City Council minutes · Jun 10, 2026
The Public Safety Campus project is primarily funded by a voter-approved $50 million local option sales tax; bids put the total project cost at about $59.3 million. City Council minutes · Feb 25, 2026

Representation and access to City Hall

Where it standsAll four council members and the mayor are elected citywide; several candidates propose wards or a process for residents to place items on the agenda.

What's on the tableWhether to pursue ward representation and how resident requests reach the council agenda.

The council is the mayor and four council members, who serve staggered four-year terms and run at-large. City of Woodbury
The City Administrator sets the council agenda; during Open Forum the council does not take immediate action. City Council minutes · Apr 8, 2026
A resident-drafted resolution on immigration enforcement and city property was not placed on the March 25 agenda and was directed to Open Forum. Woodbury News Net · Apr 23, 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. The council will set the final 2027 levy on Dec 9 (preliminary: +5.9%). How should it approach levy increases?
2. Woodbury paused new data centers for up to a year in Sept 2026. What should come next?
3. As Woodbury plans for 2050, how should it handle new housing?
4. Woodbury Police use Flock license plate reader cameras. What should the city do?
5. Residents asked for a binding resolution restricting use of city property for federal immigration enforcement. What should the council do?
6. Should Woodbury elect council members by ward instead of citywide?
7. Should residents have a formal way to put items on the council agenda?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

Early in-person (absentee) voting beginsCity of WoodburySep 18, 2026
Pre-registration deadline (you can still register at the polls)Minnesota Secretary of State · Jan 22, 2026Oct 13, 2026
Early in-person direct voting beginsCity of WoodburyOct 16, 2026
Election Day (polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.)City of WoodburyNov 3, 2026

The seat math

2 stay (not up this year): Donna Stafford, Kim Wilson3 on this ballot

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

The City Council is the mayor and four council members, who serve staggered four-year terms and are elected at-large. City of Woodbury
City Council elections are nonpartisan, and there is no city primary; all filed candidates appear on the November ballot. City of Woodbury
Ten candidates filed for the two open council seats. Pioneer Press · Aug 23, 2026
Jennifer Santini did not file for re-election; Steve Morris is the only council incumbent running. Pioneer Press · Aug 23, 2026

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