Owatonna Residents Petition for $65M Public Safety Bond Vote

Grassroots group aims to force referendum on city council's plan to fund new fire and police stations

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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A grassroots group in Owatonna, Minnesota is advocating for a $65 million public safety project to be put on the ballot, after the city council unanimously approved a plan to fund new fire and police stations through a property tax increase. The group is collecting signatures to force a referendum, arguing the cost is too high and the public should have a say.

Why it matters

The proposed $65 million bond measure has sparked debate in the community over the cost, location of the new police station, and the city council's decision-making process. The outcome could set a precedent for how major public infrastructure projects are approved in Owatonna.

The details

The city council approved a plan to fund new fire and police stations through a property tax increase, but a grassroots group led by Mikayla Olson and Daniel Pridie is collecting signatures to force a referendum. They support the public safety project but oppose the cost and process, arguing the public should have a direct vote. The tax impact is estimated at $35 more per month for a $300,000 home. City council member Nathan Dotson says costs could potentially be reduced, but the final price tag remains unknown.

  • The city council unanimously approved the property tax increase last week.
  • Petitioners have until April 2 to gather the necessary signatures to force a referendum.

The players

Mikayla Olson

A leader of the grassroots group advocating for a referendum on the $65 million public safety bond measure.

Daniel Pridie

A leader of the grassroots group advocating for a referendum on the $65 million public safety bond measure.

Nathan Dotson

An Owatonna City Council member who says costs could potentially be reduced, but the final price tag remains unknown.

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What they’re saying

“I think the biggest problem that we have now is that we're not being asked about this. We're just being told... And then the tax hike that we're going to get on the houses around here.”

— Mikayla Olson, Grassroots group leader (kstp.com)

“I just say, let the people vote. Let the voice of Owatonna be heard, and don't get bullied by who is on the Council.”

— Mikayla Olson, Grassroots group leader (kstp.com)

“You know, nothing is set in stone on this project yet. The cost, the locations are not necessarily set in stone. We still have time to make other decisions and other considerations.”

— Nathan Dotson, Owatonna City Council member (kstp.com)

What’s next

Petitioners have until April 2 to gather the necessary signatures to force a referendum on the $65 million public safety bond measure.

The takeaway

This debate highlights the tension between elected officials and the public over the approval process for major infrastructure projects, as well as concerns about the cost burden on taxpayers, especially for those on fixed incomes.