Zimmerman City Council · Nov 3, 2026
Larry
Farber
Larry Farber, the incumbent, is running for Zimmerman City Council in the Nov 3, 2026 election; 3 candidates are running for 2 seats.
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The race · City Council
- 01Dave EarenfightIncumbent
- 02Larry FarberYou’re reading
- 03Karen Michels
Background
- About
- Retired police officer who served on the Elk River City Council and as a Sherburne County commissioner. He has served on the Zimmerman City Council since 2022.
Dave Earenfight and Larry Farber hold the two council seats on the ballot; Karen Michels was the only other candidate to file. Elk River Star News
The terms of Dave Earenfight and Larry Farber expire Dec. 31, 2026; the terms of Josh Bondhus and Harley Wells expire Dec. 31, 2028. City of Zimmerman
On the record: Larry Farber
17 sourced01City Administrator1 sourced position
Moved the motion and voted yes on appointing Clerk/Treasurer Kary Tillmann as interim City Administrator with an interim pay increase to Grade 17, Step 4 (passed 3-2, September 2026).
Council voteZimmerman City Council minutes, Sep 21 2026 · Sep 21, 2026LinkHow the council voted
02Property tax levy2 sourced positions
Moved the motion and voted yes on the preliminary 2027 levy of $3,419,953 (unanimous, September 2026).
Council voteZimmerman City Council minutes, Sep 21 2026 · Sep 21, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Wrote that spending more money is not always the answer and that he would protect essential services first if reductions are needed.
Spending more money is not always the answer.”
Own statementElk River Star News · Oct 10, 2026Link
03Sidewalks2 sourced positions
Seconded the motion and voted yes to approve plans and order bids for the 3rd Avenue North/10th Street West project, which adds a sidewalk on the north side (unanimous, April 2026).
Council voteZimmerman City Council minutes, Apr 20 2026 · Apr 20, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes to order the 3rd Avenue North/10th Street West improvement project after a public hearing (unanimous, April 2026).
Council voteZimmerman City Council minutes, Apr 6 2026 · Apr 6, 2026LinkHow the council voted
04Garbage collection1 sourced position
Voted yes to stop researching an organized garbage collection model for the city at this time (unanimous, August 2026).
Council voteZimmerman City Council minutes, Aug 3 2026 · Aug 3, 2026LinkHow the council voted
05Wastewater plant1 sourced position
Voted yes to approve a NERO Engineering agreement for preliminary design of the Phase II wastewater treatment plant expansion, up to $663,153 (unanimous, November 2025).
Council voteZimmerman City Council minutes, Nov 3 2025 · Nov 3, 2025LinkHow the council voted
06Housing development2 sourced positions
Seconded the motion and voted yes to approve the preliminary plat of The Homes at Fremont, a 212-unit planned residential development (unanimous, July 2025).
Council voteZimmerman City Council minutes, Jul 7 2025 · Jul 7, 2025LinkHow the council voted
Moved the motion and voted yes to approve the final plat of The Homes at Fremont (unanimous, July 2025).
Council voteZimmerman City Council minutes, Jul 7 2025 · Jul 7, 2025LinkHow the council voted
07Growth and housing2 sourced positions
Wrote that he supports responsible growth in the right locations over the next five to 10 years.
Over the next five to 10 years, I support responsible growth in the right locations.”
Own statementElk River Star News · Oct 10, 2026Link
Wrote that Zimmerman needs a variety of housing options.
Zimmerman needs a variety of housing options, including single-family homes, townhomes, apartments, and housing for young families, seniors, and people who want to downsize.”
Own statementElk River Star News · Oct 10, 2026Link
08City direction1 sourced position
Wrote that Zimmerman is well run and financially strong.
I believe Zimmerman is well run and in a strong financial position.”
Own statementElk River Star News · Oct 10, 2026Link
09Downtown1 sourced position
Wrote that private owners and businesses should lead downtown decisions, with the city supporting them through planning and infrastructure.
Private property owners and businesses should lead decisions about what is built, while the city supports them through good planning and reliable public infrastructure.”
Own statementElk River Star News · Oct 10, 2026Link
10City staffing1 sourced position
Moved the motion and voted yes on a $350 travel stipend for out-of-state City Planner interviewees (passed 4-1, April 2026).
Council voteZimmerman City Council minutes, Apr 20 2026 · Apr 20, 2026LinkHow the council voted
11Lake Fremont1 sourced position
Moved the motion and voted yes on a contract of up to $12,500 to cut a weed navigation channel on Lake Fremont (passed 4-1, June 2025).
Council voteZimmerman City Council minutes, Jun 16 2025 · Jun 16, 2025LinkHow the council voted
12Business licensing1 sourced position
Moved the motion and voted yes on a mobile food unit license for an ice cream truck (passed 4-1, August 2025).
Council voteZimmerman City Council minutes, Aug 4 2025 · Aug 4, 2025LinkHow the council voted
13Water system1 sourced position
Moved the motion and voted yes on a $29,611 change order to repair municipal Well #5 (passed 3-1, September 2025).
Council voteZimmerman City Council minutes, Sep 22 2025 · Sep 22, 2025LinkHow the council voted
Every claim links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
Larry Farber: their words and their votes on the same issue
Property tax levy
In their words
Wrote that spending more money is not always the answer and that he would protect essential services first if reductions are needed.
Oct 10, 2026 ·Elk River Star News · Oct 10, 2026
On the record
Moved the motion and voted yes on the preliminary 2027 levy of $3,419,953 (unanimous, September 2026).
Sep 21, 2026 ·Zimmerman City Council minutes, Sep 21 2026 · Sep 21, 2026
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