2026 Chaska City Council Candidate – Ward 1

“To me, good civic leadership is no different than any other type of leadership. It starts with listening, asking thoughtful questions and seeking to understand different perspectives. Good leaders recognize they do not have all the answers, but they are willing to learn from others and work together to find the best path forward.“

— Jon Grau —

Name: Jon Grau
Email address: jkgrau@gmail.com
City of residence: Chaska (Ward 1)

Professional and volunteer background: 

Human resources professional for a large manufacturer. I coach my kids’ sports of basketball and baseball. Through my role on the City Council, I have been on several taskforces including Chaska Community Center, Downtown Masterplan, and serve on the Southwest Transit Board. Prior to my time on the Council, I was on the Chaska Park Board for 12 years, including four years as the chair.

What makes you the best candidate in this race: 

I believe I am the best candidate because I bring a combination of proven leadership, experience and a genuine passion for serving our community. Over the past eight years on the City Council, I have helped advance a fully funded plan to reinvest in city facilities, strengthen Chaska’s bond rating through responsible budgeting, and support thoughtful growth. But what drives me most is the opportunity to build relationships, learn from others, and give back to the community I love. My wife and I have called Chaska home for 18 years and are raising our two boys here. Soar Hawks!

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

My top three priorities are continuing the progress Chaska has made over the past eight years. First, I want to support the expansion of the Southwest Chaska Industrial Park to create jobs, attract investment and strengthen our tax base. Second, I believe we need to reinvest in the Chaska Community Center. After more than 30 years of serving as an important gathering place, it is showing its age. We have a strong vision through the master planning process, but we must explore funding options beyond property taxes. Finally, I am excited to advance plans for a destination park in Southwest Chaska that will serve residents for generations.

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

As Chaska continues to grow, we need to take a balanced approach that supports residential, industrial and commercial development. On the residential side, it’s important that Chaska offers diverse housing options, including single-family homes, townhomes, apartments and rental properties, to meet the needs of residents at every stage of life. We also have tremendous opportunities to expand employment and strengthen our tax base through the Southwest Chaska Industrial Park and continued investment in existing industrial areas. Finally, we must remain an attractive destination for commercial development that provides services, amenities and opportunities that enhance the quality of life for our residents.

What does good civic leadership look like to you: 

To me, good civic leadership is no different than any other type of leadership. It starts with listening, asking thoughtful questions and seeking to understand different perspectives. Good leaders recognize they do not have all the answers, but they are willing to learn from others and work together to find the best path forward. Civic leadership is about building relationships, earning trust and treating people with respect. It means making informed decisions, even when issues are complex, while keeping the community’s long-term interests in mind. At its core, leadership is about serving others and helping people feel heard.

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

Our lives are busier than ever and staying informed about local government often takes a back seat to work, family and everyday responsibilities. If we want an informed and engaged community, we need to meet residents where they are, use multiple forms of communication, and never assume we’ve done enough outreach. As elected officials, we need to make it easy for people to access information and share their perspectives. My life is no different. Outside of work, you’ll often find me coaching or watching my kids’ sports. I enjoy those interactions and welcome conversations about the future of Chaska.

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

My long-term vision for Chaska is to continue being the best small town in Minnesota. We do that by building a community that attracts diverse businesses, residents, attractions and celebrations while maintaining the character that makes Chaska special. I want Chaska to remain a place where people know their neighbors and take an extra five or 10 minutes at the store to catch up with a friend. As our city continues to grow, we need to balance residential, commercial and industrial development while preserving our green spaces, gathering places and strong sense of community that make Chaska feel like home.

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

Like all residents, I would prefer to pay less in property taxes. However, I believe fiscal responsibility means more than simply keeping taxes low. It means ensuring the taxes collected are invested wisely to support the long-term well-being of our community. In recent years, I voted to increase taxes because we needed to address aging and, in some cases, inadequate city facilities. I am proud that we now have a fully funded facilities plan that has delivered a new Public Safety Center and will support a Municipal Services Building, an expanded library, and improvements to City Hall. Looking ahead, I expect Chaska’s tax levy increases to be lower than many neighboring communities.

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

State and national issues often receive most of the attention, but I remind residents that local government can have the greatest impact on their daily lives. To increase awareness of local issues, we need to continue engaging residents through both digital and traditional communication channels and make information accessible in ways that work for different people. Most importantly, local leaders need to be visible and approachable. It’s showing up at community events.