Star Tribune
Minneapolis voters decide school tax hike, 2 contested school board seats
Also to be determined is who will be seated on a school board tasked with making related budget-balancing moves early next year.
The proposed tax hike is designed to cover technology expenses, but officials say it has the added benefit of freeing up funds covering general operations and minimizing cuts to other programs and services.
That’s because the district’s current $18 million a year capital project levy does not fully cover its technology costs, requiring money to be pulled from the general fund. The ballot measure would allow the district to increase that levy to $38 million a year.
Kim Ellison, a former board chair, is seeking re-election to the at-large seat, and is being challenged by Shayla Owodunni, a preschool tutor and former governance, risk and compliance consultant.
The District 6 race pits early childhood educator Lara Bergman against Greta Callahan, former president of the teachers chapter of the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers.
The seat’s current occupant, Ira Jourdain, did not seek re-election.
Badel vs. Lunde
In District 1, Gulled Ahmed Badel is running against incumbent Jeffrey Lunde for a seat representing the northeastern corner of Hennepin County, including Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Crystal, New Hope, Osseo and Robbinsdale.
Badel is based in Brooklyn Center, according to his candidate filing. Information beyond that isn’t readily available online.
Lunde, who was Brooklyn Park’s mayor for 10 years, wants to increase support for veterans facing homelessness, create a team of advocates for crime victims and expand services for students who fell behind during the pandemic, his website states.
Beck vs. Goettel
In District 5, Jeffrey A. Beck is challenging incumbent Debbie Goettel in the district that includes Bloomington, south Eden Prairie, Richfield and part of southwest Minneapolis.
Beck, who ran unsuccessfully for County Board in 2004 and 2014, said at a candidate forum that housing stability is his top priority. He added that he wants to build thousands of low-income units across the county’s southern portion.
Goettel’s priorities include scoring funding to repair infrastructure, supporting small businesses and expanding transit options, her website states. She served as Richfield mayor before joining the County Board in 2016.
Star Tribune
East metro elections: Arden Hills voters could sway future development at Army ammunition site
Other notable elections in the east metro include several seats on the Ramsey County Board and a citywide trash collection question in Mounds View.
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Orono residents will vote for mayor Tuesday, ending a contentious contest that drew thousands in campaign spending.
Former Orono school board chair Bob Tunheim is challenging Mayor Dennis Walsh, who says he is seeking one last term after eight years in office. Both candidates are pitching themselves as leaders who will value civility, be responsible stewards of taxpayer money and run operations better than their competitor.
Orono is home to about 8,000 people. It borders a portion of Lake Minnetonka and surrounds the city of Long Lake. The two cities are locked in a lawsuit and face a trial next year, as Long Lake officials accuse Orono of trying to poach their firefighters after Orono broke off to form its own department.
The mayor presides over City Council meetings, serves as a spokesperson for Orono and can declare emergencies, if needed. The position pays $4,200 per year. Local elections have drawn many multiples of that in campaign donations.
A new political committee called Preserve Orono, which sent mailers urging people to vote for Walsh, reported more than $55,000 in contributions this year, primarily from three people. In October, Walsh reported about $36,000 in campaign contributions, about $35,000 of which was a loan from himself. Tunheim reported about $30,000 in contributions.
Other notable west metro races:
Residents will vote in three competitive Plymouth City Council races, with at least one seat guaranteed to flip.
