Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Columbia Mayor & City Council Election 2026

2 of 7

council seats up

2 contests

7 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.

Mayor · 1 seat

Timothy JohnsonListed on the November 3, 2026 Maury County sample ballot for City Mayor.1sourced
Jai LipscombColumbia realtor since 2005 and founder of the nonprofit All Hands on Deck.3sourced
Stewart ParkerFinancial advisor and former Maury County Commissioner who chairs the county Industrial Development Board.2sourced
Eric PrevitiMaury County District 2 commissioner for 12 years, including two as chairman of the county commission.6sourced
Ashley TownsendListed on the November 3, 2026 Maury County sample ballot for City Mayor.1sourced

City Council Citywide Seat · 1 seat

All Columbia voters choose one Mayor and one Vice Mayor citywide; the five ward council seats are not on this ballot.

2 notes on these statements

Incumbent Mayor Chaz Molder is not on the ballot; five candidates are running for the open mayor's seat. Main Street Maury · Aug 21, 2026

Charlie Huffman is on the ballot for Vice Mayor; his Ward 2 council seat is not up for election until November 2028. Main Street Maury · Aug 21, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Kenny MarshallCouncil Member, Ward 4 (next up for election November 2028)2sourced Carl McCullenCouncil Member, Ward 1 (next up for election November 2028)2sourced Brian McKelvyCouncil Member, Ward 5 (next up for election November 2028)2sourced Cheryl SecrestCouncil Member, Ward 3 (next up for election November 2028)bio only

Start here

Match quiz2 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesWater supply and rates, Development and growth, Property taxes and the budget Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Voter registration deadline

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Water supply and rates

Where it standsThe council approved water rate increases of up to 20% a year for five years in January 2026 to fund a $520 million Duck River intake and treatment plant, and has since approved financing resolutions.

What's on the tableHow the next council oversees water rates, borrowing and construction of the project.

The council approved the new water rates 5-2, with Council Member Charlie Huffman and Mayor Chaz Molder voting no. Tennessee Lookout · Jan 12, 2026
The $520 million project includes a new Duck River intake and a new water treatment plant, with work slated to run from spring 2026 to summer 2029. Tennessee Lookout · Jan 12, 2026
A state water division official said Columbia's utility was at 93% of its capacity. Tennessee Lookout · Jan 12, 2026
The council passed Resolution No. 26-36, a state revolving fund loan agreement of up to $75,000,000 for the water system, 5-1 on May 14, 2026. Columbia City Council minutes, May 14, 2026 (in June 11, 2026 agenda packet) · May 14, 2026

Development and growth

Where it standsThe council raised the water impact fee on new customers in January 2026 and continues to hear planned-development and land-use requests.

What's on the tableWhich development, annexation and land-use requests the next council approves and how growth costs are covered.

The council unanimously approved an increase in the utility's impact fee for new customers. Tennessee Lookout · Jan 12, 2026
The council passed Ordinance No. 4563, the Waters Edge at Taylor Landing planned development master plan in Ward 3, on second consideration, with Council Member Huffman voting no and Vice Mayor McBroom abstaining. Columbia City Council minutes, Jan. 8, 2026 (in Feb. 12, 2026 agenda packet) · Jan 8, 2026
The council deferred Ordinance No. 4574, a land-use change off Trotwood Avenue and Foster Lane, at the applicant's request. Columbia City Council minutes, Jan. 8, 2026 (in Feb. 12, 2026 agenda packet) · Jan 8, 2026

Property taxes and the budget

Where it standsThe council adopted the fiscal year 2027 budget on June 11, 2026, and set the property tax rate at the certified rate of $0.6068 per $100 after Maury County's reappraisal.

What's on the tableThe next budget and tax rate, including whether to keep the rate at the certified level.

The certified rate of $0.6068 is down from $0.8251, a 26.5% decrease, and is calculated to produce substantially the same revenue excluding new construction. Columbia City Council June 11, 2026 agenda packet: tax rate staff report and FY 2027 budget message · Jun 11, 2026
The city's total tax base assessment rose from $1,515,041,776 in 2022 to $2,425,633,901 in the 2026 reappraisal. Columbia City Council June 11, 2026 agenda packet: tax rate staff report and FY 2027 budget message · Jun 11, 2026
The FY 2027 operating budget totals $84,466,601, and the General Fund is about 2.0% lower than the FY 2026 budget as adopted. Columbia City Council June 11, 2026 agenda packet: tax rate staff report and FY 2027 budget message · Jun 11, 2026
The council set a $75 maximum for 2026 city property tax relief for elderly low-income homeowners. Columbia City Council minutes, April 9, 2026 (in May 14, 2026 agenda packet) · Apr 9, 2026

City and county on water decisions

Where it standsColumbia's council alone approves water rates, although the utility also sells water to systems serving customers outside the city.

What's on the tableWhether and how the next council involves county officials and out-of-city customers in water decisions.

Columbia Power and Water Systems sells water at wholesale to nearby water systems serving a combined 35,000 customers, but rate changes are approved only by the Columbia City Council. Tennessee Lookout · Jan 12, 2026
The December 11, 2025 minutes list County Mayor Sheila Butt, State Representative Scott Cepicky and several county commissioners among those who spoke in opposition to Ordinance No. 4577. Columbia City Council minutes, Dec. 11, 2025 (in Jan. 8, 2026 agenda packet) · Dec 11, 2025

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 Columbia pay for the planned new Duck River intake and water treatment plant?
2. How should Columbia handle new development approvals?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

Voter registration deadlineMaury County Election CommissionOct 5, 2026
Early voting beginsMaury County Election CommissionOct 14, 2026
Last day to request an absentee ballot by mailMaury County Election CommissionOct 24, 2026
Early voting endsMaury County Election CommissionOct 29, 2026
Election DayMaury County Election CommissionNov 3, 2026

The seat math

4 stay (not up this year): Kenny Marshall, Carl McCullen, Brian McKelvy, Cheryl Secrest2 on this ballot

7 council seats. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.

The Council is composed of five members, each elected by the voters of one of five wards. Charter of the City of Columbia, Tennessee
The Mayor and the Vice Mayor are elected at large, for four-year terms. Charter of the City of Columbia, Tennessee
The Mayor is a voting member of the city council. Charter of the City of Columbia, Tennessee
The Council appoints a city manager, who serves at the will and pleasure of the Council. Charter of the City of Columbia, Tennessee

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