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507-526-7336

Upcoming Events

19 Aug
Senior Day Out Picnic
August 19 2026 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
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507-526-7336


News

August 12 2026

The last opportunity to enjoy the leisure pool for the 2026 season will be Thursday, August 13.  The lap pool will remain open 1 to 7 daily through Sunday, August 30th.

August 11 2026
 Brush Site Attendant (Public Works) The City of Blue Earth is seeking seasonal help for a part-time position at the City brush and compost site. The position involves opening the site at the designated time, monitoring the material brought into...
August 11 2026
Municipal Liquor Store Clerk The City of Blue Earth municipal liquor store is seeking part-time clerks for regular scheduled 25 hours per week, including evening and weekends. This position is responsible for customer service, operating the register,...
August 11 2026
Multiple agency members were honored on Monday evening at UHD with a Life Save Award for their actions in responding to a medical emergency. We are fortunate in the City of Blue Earth for these fine individuals who choose to serve - the officers, dis...
August 05 2026
 A shout of THANKS to all the hosts and participants of the annual National Night Out on Tuesday evening. Despite the rain, it was a positive turnout of neighbors gathering to promote community....

Public Notices

17 March 2023
Certificate of Approval of Special Law by Governing Body and City of Blue Earth Resolution 19-07 Additional information on the City of Blue Earth's local sales and use tax can be found on the City Council web page....

Events

19 Aug
Senior Day Out Picnic
August 19 2026 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
19 Aug
Streets Advisory Committee
August 19 2026 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
7 Sep
City Hall Closed-Holiday
September 07 2026
8 Sep
City Council Meeting
September 08 2026 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
10 Sep
Faribault County Clean up Day
September 10 2026 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

City Council

The Blue Earth City Council consists of a mayor and six council members. Both the mayor and council members are elected to four-year terms. Blue Earth is divided into three wards. All elective offices shall be at-large elective offices. The mayor and council members can be contacted by calling City Hall at 507.526.7336.

Richard Scholtes
Richard ScholtesMayorrscholtes@bevcomm.com
Current Term: 4th
Year Elected: 2012
Current Term Expires: January 3, 2029

Boards, Commissions, & Committees: Housing & Redevelopment Authority, Joint Planning Board/Blue Earth & Jo Daviess Townships, Charter Commission, Economic Development Authority (Liaison), Administrative Penalty Review Board
Michael McNerney
Michael McNerneyWard: At-large elective officem.mcnerney@becity.org
Current Term: 2nd
Year Elected: 2022
Current Term Expires: January 3, 2029

Boards, Commissions, & Committees: Street Improvement Committee, Personnel Committee
Jacque Drew
Jacque DrewWard: At-large elective officej.drew@becity.org
Current Term: 1st
Year Elected: 2022
Current Term Expires: January 4, 2027

Boards, Commissions, & Committees: Airport Advisory Commission, Library Board
Dan Ristau
Dan RistauVice Mayordan.ristau1@gmail.com
Current Term: 2nd
Year Elected: 2022 (Appointed 2021)
Current Term Expires: January 4, 2027

Boards, Commissions, & Committees: EDA Board member, Parks & Recreation Subcommittee, School/City Facility Joint Powers
John Huisman
John HuismanWard: At-large elective officejjq@bevcomm.net
Current Term: 6th
Year Elected: 2007
Current Term Expires: January 3, 2029

Boards, Commissions, & Committees: Rural Entrepreneurial Venture (REV), Joint Fire Service Advisory Board, Street Improvement Committee, Board of Public Works, School/City Facility Joint Powers
Stephanie Walter
Stephanie WalterWard: At-large elective offices.walter@becity.org
Current Term: 2nd
Year Elected: 2022
Current Term Expires: January 3, 2029

Boards, Commissions, & Committees: Senior Center Board, Faribault County Fitness Center Board, Board of Public Works
Ann Hanna
Ann HannaWard: At-large elective officeannhanna123@gmail.com
Current Term: 2nd
Year Elected: 2022 (Appointed 2020)
Current Term Expires: Jan. 4, 2027

Boards, Commissions & Committees:
Blue Earth Airport Advisory Commission, School/City Facility Joint Powers, Parks and Recreation Subcommittee
Honorary City Council Member
Honorary City Council MemberNoah Hanson
Honorary Council Member Information and Application can be found on our News page.

 

 

Local Election this Fall
Affidavits of Candidacy will be accepted at the City Clerk’s office during the filing period of July 14 through July 28, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. for the following openings:
Council Member at Large – 4-Year Term
Council Member at Large – 4-Year Term
Council Member at Large – 4-Year Term
Board of Public Works Member – 4-year term
Board of Public Works Member – 4-year term

Candidates’ names will appear on the November 3, 2026, General Election ballot. Listed below are the filing requirements for those individuals seeking public office:

1.  Candidate must be an eligible voter.

2.  Is, or will be on assuming the office, 21 years of age or more.

3.  Have not filed for the same or any other office at the upcoming primary or general election.

4.  Maintained residence in the district from which the candidate seeks election for 30 days before the General Election.

Candidates must file an Affidavit of Candidacy and pay a $5 filing fee with the City Clerk’s office at the City Hall, 207 E. 7th Street, Blue Earth. Feel free to direct questions to the city office at 507-526-7336.

Blue_Earth_Candidate_General_Info.pdf

 

The City of Blue Earth polling location was changed to the City Hall, Council Chambers, located at 201 E 7th Street. Notices were mailed to City of Blue Earth registered voters.

 

 

Local Sales & Use Tax

Residents and businesses may owe a local use tax on purchases made outside of Blue Earth city limits.  Local use tax applies when you buy items or services for use, storage, distribution or consumption in the local area without paying local sales tax to the seller.  Use tax is similar to the sales tax and the rates are identical.  It is based on your cost of taxable purchases.  Common examples of when use tax is due are when (1) you buy items outside the local area and the seller doesn’t charge local sales tax, and you use or store the item in the local area, or (2) you buy a taxable item from an out-of-state seller who does not charge local sales tax.  If you believe you may owe a local use tax, you may contact the Minnesota Department of Revenue, Sales and Use Tax Division at 651-296-6181 or 800-657-3777 or go to www.revenue.state.mn.us for information and forms necessary for calculating and paying the tax.  The Department of Revenue provides a link to Fact Sheets 146, Use Tax for Businesses, and 156, Use Tax for Individuals, for more information about use taxes.

Certificate of Approval of Special Law by Governing Body and City of Blue Earth Resolution 19-07

2018 SALES TAX REFERENDUM

History
Sales Tax Legislation approved by the Legislature in 2019.

COMPLETED PROJECTS

Leland Parkway
           County State Aid Highway 16 reconstruction project.  

Wastewater Plant Reconstruction
           Completed 2019

SALES TAX EXPENDITURES

Projects Amount
Parks $    150,000
Other Street Reconstruction $ 4,700,000
Wastewater Plant Reconstruction $    150,000
Total $ 5,000,000


Projects will be completed to the extent that projects presented to the citizens were acted on.  Primary differences in what was envisioned at the time the Sales Tax was enacted include a decision the Council made with a focus on street reconstruction.  This in turn frees up more general fund revenue for Parks and Recreation. 

2026 City Council Meeting Schedule

21 Sep
City Council Meeting
Date 21.09.2026 17:00 - 18:00
5 Oct
City Council Meeting
05.10.2026 17:00 - 18:00
19 Oct
City Council Meeting
19.10.2026 17:00 - 18:00

Unless otherwise announced, all city council meetings take place at Blue Earth City Hall, located at 201 E. 7th St. Meetings are called to order at 5:00 P.M. and adjourn when the agenda has been completed. 

Access to Government Data & Public Information

To look at data or request copies of data that the City of Blue Earth keeps, please make a written request to the City Administrator. You may make your written request for data by mail or email, but you must use the Data Request Form provided by the City of Blue Earth.

Volunteer for City Boards & Commissions

Several opportunities arise every year for citizens to join different boards and commissions. Serving in these positions gives our residents a chance to participate in the management of the City. Boards and commissions serve to manage different sectors of municipal government and to make policy and budgetary recommendations to the City Council.

  • Airport Advisory Commission
  • Administrative Penalty Review Board
  • Board of Building Appeals
  • Board of Public Works
  • Board of Zoning Adjustments and Appeals
  • Charter Commission
  • Economic Development Authority
  • Faribault County Fitness Center Board
  • Housing and Redevelopment Authority
  • Joint Airport Zoning Board
  • Joint Fire Service Advisory Board
  • Joint Planning Board – Blue Earth City Township
  • Joint Planning Board – Jo Daviess Township
  • Library Board
  • Parks and Recreation Subcommittee
  • Planning Commission
  • Senior Center Board
  • Street Improvement Subcommittee

Vision of the City 2030

Comprehensive_Plan_2019.pdf