The Ballot Brief
Steele County, Minnesota

City Question 1: ISSUANCE OF BONDS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF NEW PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITIES

We use AI to research and write election information. Errors are possible. Verify important details with official sources.

Minnesota › Steele County › City Question 1: ISSUANCE OF BONDS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF NEW PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITIES

Did it pass? The official answer comes November 19.

Minnesota makes results final in three steps.
✓
Done · Nov 3
Votes were cast and counted
Election night totals are a first count, not the final one.
2
Happening now · by Nov 11
Steele County double-checks its count
The county reviews mail ballots, provisional ballots and any recount, then sends official totals to the state.
3
Next · Nov 19
Minnesota makes it official
The State Canvassing Board certifies the result. The result appears on this page that day.

What local news is reporting

Not official yetUpdated November 4, 2026

This report is cited to the outlet that published it. We do not call results.

City Question 1: ISSUANCE OF BONDS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF NEW PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITIES
Failed with 76.7% no, the Owatonna People's Press reported.Owatonna People's Press, “Voters shoot down $65 million solution for aging city fire and police facilities”, November 4, 2026. Unofficial until certified.

Reports are checked daily until Minnesota certifies on November 19; the official result is the state's certified count.

City Question 1: ISSUANCE OF BONDS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF NEW PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITIES was a bond question for City of Owatonna on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Authorizes City of Owatonna to issue general obligation bonds of up to $65,000,000 for the purpose described in the ballot question. $65,000,000 in general obligation bonds for the purpose described in the ballot question

As of November 4, 2026, the Owatonna People's Press reported that City Question 1: ISSUANCE OF BONDS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF NEW PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITIES failed; the result is unofficial until Minnesota certifies it on November 19.

A yes vote means: City of Owatonna may issue up to $65,000,000 in bonds, generally funded by a property tax increase.
A no vote means: The bonds are not issued and the project is not funded this way.

Bond question City of Owatonna

Cost, rate or term as stated: $65,000,000 in general obligation bonds for the purpose described in the ballot question
How it reached the ballot: City Council
Official ballot language:
Shall the City of Owatonna be authorized to issue its general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $65,000,000 for the purpose of acquiring, constructing and equipping new public safety facilities for the City's police and fire departmens? BY VOTING "YES" ON THIS BALLOT QUESTION, YOU ARE VOTING FOR A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.
Voting info and more
Verify this question

Source: Minnesota Secretary of State (official document).

See every race and question on the Steele County sample ballot and the Minnesota statewide measures.