2026 Chanhassen City Council Candidate

“Good civic leadership is about serving others with integrity, accountability, empathy and competency. Leaders should listen to residents, bring people together and make decisions that reflect the community’s best interests and values. “

— Bryan Litsey —

Name: Bryan Litsey
Website: https://litseyforchanhassen.com
Email address: litseyforchanhassen@gmail.com
City of residence: Chanhassen

Professional and volunteer background:

I served 37 years in law enforcement, with the last 16 years as chief of police and emergency management director. This was followed by nearly 8 years at Metro State University as an assistant professor, director of Professional Peace Officer Education and Training, and academic advisor. I also served a four-year term on the Chanhassen City Council, was an adjunct professor at Mankato State University and was an appointed member of the Rules Advisory Committee for the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training. My wife and I currently volunteer at our local food shelf, supporting neighbors in need.

What makes you the best candidate in this race:

My lifelong commitment to public safety, education and serving others drives my dedication to municipal leadership and doing what is best for our community. Because I am not beholden to special interests, my independent, self-funded and nonpartisan campaign puts residents first. Drawing from decades of leadership in law enforcement, higher education and prior city council service, I have the know-how needed to address the opportunities and challenges facing our city and bring people together to achieve common goals. I will build consensus and rally residents around practical, common-sense solutions that maintain and enhance the high quality of life in Chanhassen.

What would be your top 3 priorities if elected to City Council:

My top three priorities are public safety, responsible growth and fiscal responsibility. First, I will support our public safety personnel by ensuring they have the resources, equipment and facilities necessary to protect our community and maintain rapid emergency response times. Second, I will advocate for smart, resident-driven growth that preserves our neighborhoods, parks, lakes and the character that makes Chanhassen special while planning thoughtfully for the future. Third, I will promote transparent, fiscally responsible budgeting that prioritizes core services, respects taxpayers and strengthens critical infrastructure, including cybersecurity, reliable utilities and essential municipal services that serve all residents.

With future growth projected for your community, what factors do you feel are important to consider as opportunities arise: 

As growth opportunities arise, I believe we must carefully evaluate their impact on public safety, traffic, infrastructure, city services, environmental stewardship and long-term financial sustainability. Growth should strengthen Chanhassen, not strain it. We need to support responsible economic development, maintain high-quality parks and amenities, protect the character of our neighborhoods and ensure that development aligns with the values of Chanhassen residents. My approach is simple: listen to residents, build consensus and make thoughtful decisions that preserve our exceptional quality of life while positioning our city for a strong and sustainable future.

What does good civic leadership look like to you:

Good civic leadership is about serving others with integrity, accountability, empathy and competency. Leaders should listen to residents, bring people together and make decisions that reflect the community’s best interests and values. I have demonstrated these attributes throughout my personal and professional life and will continue to do so if elected to serve on the Chanhassen City Council. My focus will continue to be on responsible leadership, open communication, fiscal stewardship and ensuring the City Council reflects the principles of representative governance while preserving Chanhassen as “A Community for Life” for current and future generations.

What would you suggest would help to build an informed and engaged citizenry:

Building an informed and engaged citizenry in Chanhassen starts with open and accessible government. Residents are more likely to participate when they understand how decisions are made and feel their voices are heard. This means clear communication, opportunities for public input and elected officials who are visible and approachable. I believe it is important to use a variety of outreach tools to meet people where they are while encouraging participation in community events, commissions and local government. An informed and engaged citizenry strengthens trust, fosters collaboration and helps ensure decisions reflect the values and priorities of the entire community.

What is your vision for the future of the city and how would you achieve that vision:

My vision is for Chanhassen to remain a highly desirable community by pursuing thoughtful growth while preserving the uniqueness of our city. I want residents to feel secure, neighborhoods to stay strong, green spaces and lakes to be protected and local government to remain transparent and fiscally responsible. This can be achieved by supporting effective and community-focused public safety, investing in and maintaining core infrastructure and scrutinizing major proposals like data centers to protect our resources. By keeping local decisions grounded in community values and ensuring special interests do not take priority over residents, we will keep Chanhassen thriving.

How would you address, if at all, ongoing property tax increases:

Property tax increases are a real concern for residents, especially seniors on fixed incomes and families already facing rising costs. While city government cannot control every factor affecting property taxes, it has a responsibility to manage taxpayer dollars wisely. I support disciplined budgeting, careful evaluation of spending priorities and pursuing operational efficiencies wherever possible. At the same time, we must continue investing in the infrastructure, public safety and community services that residents expect. My goal is to balance fiscal responsibility with maintaining the quality services that makes Chanhassen a desirable place to live.

With so much attention focused on state and national issues, how will you engage the community to increase awareness of local issues:

In these divisive times, local issues are often drowned out by the distractions and partisanship that dominate state and national politics. Unfortunately, that environment can divide us rather than unite us as a community. City council elections should be nonpartisan, and it is incumbent upon those elected to put aside their political differences and work toward consensus and common-sense solutions that improve residents’ daily lives. I am committed to doing just that by listening to residents and working alongside city staff to ensure the community remains informed, engaged and has a meaningful voice in the decisions that shape Chanhassen’s future.