2026 Chaska City Council Candidate – Ward 3

“Good civic leadership means showing up, listening, and doing the work even when the answer isn’t easy. Civic leadership does not only happen in the Council chambers. It means understanding that you represent an entire community, not just the people who agree with you.”

— McKayla Hatfield —

Name: McKayla Hatfield
Website: https://www.hatfield4chaska.com/
Email address: mckayla4chaska@gmail.com
City of residence: Chaska – Ward 3

Professional and volunteer background: 

I have served on the Chaska City Council representing Ward 3 for two terms and currently serve as chair of Southwest Transit. Professionally, I have spent more than a decade in leadership at a large HR company, managing teams and making decisions with real financial and operational implications. I also own a wedding planning business. My volunteer experience includes Women Entrepreneurs of Minnesota and the American Legion Auxiliary (past-president), among other community involvement. I hold a BS in business administration and a BA in ASL/English interpreting. These experiences have given me a broad perspective on leadership, business, service and community.

What makes you the best candidate in this race: 

I believe what sets me apart is the combination of experience and perspective I bring to the council. I understand how our city works, but I also bring a perspective that isn’t always represented at the table. I’m a single person living on one household income, without children, so I bring a unique perspective from the other councilors. I also bring experience leading teams in the private sector, running a small business and serving as chair of Southwest Transit. Most importantly, I know and love Chaska. I’ll continue to listen, ask hard questions and represent the whole community.

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

My top three priorities would be: 1) Responsible growth and fiscal stewardship; balancing the needs of a growing community with the impact on taxpayers as Chaska moves toward being fully developed. 2) Protecting what makes Chaska special; investing in our neighborhoods, downtown, parks and infrastructure while maintaining the character that makes Chaska feel like home. 3) People and engagement; continuing to improve transparency and communication. My goal is thoughtful progress without losing the sense of community that makes Chaska unique.

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

Growth brings opportunities, but we need to be thoughtful about what we say “yes” to and why. I believe we should consider the long-term impact of every development on traffic, public utilities, housing, safety and city services not just the immediate economic benefit. We also need to consider how each development fits with the character of existing neighborhoods and our long-term vision. I’ve learned a great deal about doing this in my time on the Council. As Chaska approaches being a fully developed city, we have an opportunity to shift from simply adding to our community to thoughtfully reinvesting. 

What does good civic leadership look like to you: 

Good civic leadership means showing up, listening, and doing the work even when the answer isn’t easy. Civic leadership does not only happen in the Council chambers. It means understanding that you represent an entire community, not just the people who agree with you. Good leaders ask questions, understand the details, seek out different perspectives and make decisions based on facts and the best interests of the community. They should also be willing to admit when they don’t have all the answers and continue learning. Most importantly, I believe good leaders should be accessible, transparent and accountable to the people they serve.

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

In my experience, people are more likely to engage when information is available, understandable and shared before decisions are made. Local government should continue meeting residents where they are through social media, email, mailed city communications, community events, etc. We should explain not only what decision is being made, but why it matters, how it fits in the strategic plan and how residents can participate. I also believe elected officials have a responsibility to be approachable and encourage questions. An informed citizenry starts with transparency, but meaningful engagement happens when people feel their voices are genuinely welcomed and heard.

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

My vision is for Chaska to be a welcoming community where everyone feels they belong and can live, work and play. I want Chaska to continue growing and evolving while preserving the history, character and sense of community that make it special. That means creating opportunities for people at every stage of life, supporting thriving local businesses and maintaining a vibrant downtown where residents and visitors want to gather. Achieving that vision requires thoughtful development, fiscal stewardship, intentional planning and continued listening to residents as we make decisions that will shape Chaska for decades to come.

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

Property taxes have a real impact on household budgets, and I understand that personally as someone who lives on one income. I don’t believe the answer is simply saying “no” to every increase, because the city must provide services and maintain infrastructure. Every increase should come with careful consideration and understanding of efficiencies that may be available. For most homes this year, the city’s impact will be less than 4%. The building project funding is complete. Chaska remains in the lower half of metro cities for property taxes while providing some of the best city services in the metro.

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

Local government is where decisions about our roads, parks, taxes and city services are made, yet those issues can easily get overshadowed by state and national politics. I think the best way to increase awareness is to make information clear, accessible and relevant. During my time on Council, I’ve supported efforts like Chaska Today and stronger communication with businesses. Personally, I participated in the formation of Carver County Local News. I also believe elected officials need to be visible and approachable. Local issues are tackled in everyday life and being engaged is an important piece of doing that work.