2026 Chaska Mayoral Candidate
“Good mayoral leadership means identifying problems before they become bigger problems, listening to residents and advocating for practical solutions that put Chaska residents first.“
— David Meissner —
Name: David Meissner
Website: https://meissner4mayor.com
Email address: dmeissner@meissnersos.com
City of residence: Chaska (Ward 4)
Professional and volunteer background:
30+ years of logistics, transportation and IT. Vice-Chair of Carver County GOP Executive Committee. Member of Carver County GOP Election Review Task Force. Former candidate for Minnesota Secretary of State.
What makes you the best candidate in this race?
I am the only candidate that is running to reduce government spending and save taxpayers money.
What would be your top 3 priorities if elected as mayor?
1) Stop or dramatically slow the growth of government spending in Chaska. Chaska’s tax levy has more than doubled in five years, from $11.4 million in 2021 to $23.99 million in 2026. The Building Improvement Program has put taxpayers on the hook for approximately $4.5 million annually. This level of taxation puts unnecessary pressure on residents and businesses and is not conducive to a healthy local economy.
2) Make Chaska more family and business friendly. Chaska should be a city where families want to live and businesses want to invest.
3) Restore bipartisan oversight and strengthen election integrity. I will advocate for the highest standard of ballot security, not minimum legal requirements.
With future growth projected for your community, what factors do you feel are important to consider as opportunities arise?
Growth should be an opportunity, not an obligation. Every proposed development should be evaluated based on its long-term benefit to Chaska residents, its impact on taxes and infrastructure, and whether it strengthens our community. We need to attract families and businesses that contribute to a healthy local economy while protecting Chaska’s quality of life. Large developments should receive careful scrutiny, with full transparency about costs, benefits, risks and who ultimately pays. Growth should pay for itself whenever possible, rather than placing additional burdens on existing taxpayers.
What does good mayoral leadership look like to you?
Good mayoral leadership means identifying problems before they become bigger problems, listening to residents and advocating for practical solutions that put Chaska residents first. A mayor should provide strong leadership, ask difficult questions, demand accountability and be willing to challenge the status quo when necessary. Most importantly, the mayor should represent the residents, not simply rubber-stamp decisions that come before the council.
What would you suggest would help to build an informed and engaged citizenry?
I would establish regular monthly town halls and public forums where residents can ask questions and hear directly about important city issues. I would expand communication through podcasts, social media and other accessible platforms. Most importantly, residents should have the facts before major decisions are made. Transparency should give citizens the information necessary to provide informed consent and meaningfully participate in the future of their community.
What is your vision for the future of the city and how do you hope to achieve that vision?
My vision is for Chaska to be a financially responsible, family-friendly, business-friendly community where residents can afford to live, businesses can prosper and growth strengthens rather than burdens the community. We can achieve this by controlling spending, reducing unnecessary tax burdens, attracting families and responsible businesses, and making development decisions based on their long-term benefit to residents. Above all, I want a city government that is transparent, accountable and responsive to the people it serves.
What measures, if any, should the city pursue to create more affordable housing for the workforce (including young teachers, police officers, health-care workers) and for seniors on limited incomes?
Chaska’s spending is outpacing its growth. The city’s tax levy has more than doubled in five years, from $11.4 million in 2021 to nearly $24 million in 2026. This is not sustainable. We need to rein in spending, prioritize essential services and carefully scrutinize projects that do not provide sufficient value to taxpayers. Major spending decisions should be completely transparent, so residents understand the costs, benefits and long-term financial obligations before those decisions are made.
How would you address, if at all, ongoing property tax increases?
We need to approach property taxes with both fiscal discipline and long-term planning. Smart, thoughtful growth can help broaden our tax base and offset the burden on residents. Continuing to attract and support commercial and industrial development can provide property tax relief while creating jobs and opportunities. At the same time, we need to make wise spending decisions, prioritize essential services, and plan ahead for future infrastructure and community needs. By being disciplined with our budget and thoughtful about growth and development, our goal should be to minimize tax increases whenever possible while maintaining the quality services our residents deserve.
With so much attention focused on state and national issues, how will you engage the community to increase awareness of local issues?
I will bring the focus back to the issues that directly affect Chaska residents: taxes, spending, development, infrastructure, public safety and the quality of our community. Regular town halls, public forums, podcasts, social media and straightforward city communications can help residents understand what is happening at City Hall and why it matters. Local government has a direct impact on our daily lives, and residents deserve an active voice in those decisions.
