Local voters reelected Kirt Briggs for a third term as Prior Lake’s mayor on Nov. 5, with Zach Braid returning for another four years on the Prior Lake City Council, having already served two terms. Newcomer Ethan Hellier will fill the council seat vacated by Kevin Burkart who challenged Briggs for mayoral duties at the start of 2025.
Prior Lake News Compass requested the three elected officials who will be sworn into office on Jan. 7 to share reasons for running, thoughts on future park improvements and development priorities the city should consider in the future. Questions and their responses appear below.

Kirt Briggs
Please introduce yourself to readers, and include length of time you have lived here, family, education, career, reasons for running for elected office and anything else you would like our readers to know about you.
It has been an honor and privilege to serve as Mayor of Prior Lake these past eight years. I sought reelection focused on maintaining the positive momentum that has been created as we have fortified the financial position of our city while enhancing public safety, growing our commercial tax base and leading efforts at the Capitol to advance legislation that benefits our community. The success we have had, coupled with the relationships that have been formed these past years, were the primary motivators for filing for a third term.
The city has more than 50 parks and within many, the grounds and equipment need updating and/or replacement. How should the city proceed in establishing a parks priority plan and how would you recommend these improvements be funded?
Prior Lake has twice the number of parks as the larger City of Savage right next door. The parks are one of the positive differentiators for our community and also present a significant challenge in maintenance. The city council has approved a Parks Master Plan prioritizing future investment. In the near term, I see the potential for capital funding coming from a combination of sources potentially to include: property tax levy, state/federal grants, private donation, a resident-supported park referendum.
What is your short-term and long-term vision for development in Prior Lake, i.e. what do we need more of and what should be protected for development in the future?
In the near term, the city council needs to stay focused on the challenges of delivering the services our citizens expect (police, fire, recreation and public works) while maintaining our infrastructure (facilities, parks and roads) in a financially sustainable manner. The Economic Development Authority has been successful in diversifying our property tax base by attracting commercial development. Longer term, we need to accelerate the growth of commercial development, delivering more service for residents and provide some relief to our homeowner tax burden.
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Zach Braid
Please introduce yourself to readers, and include length of time you have lived here, family, education, career, reasons for running for elected office and anything else you would like our readers to know about you.
I have had the honor of serving as your council member since 2017. The past eight years have brought many challenges, yet much has been accomplished. I am humbled and honored to serve our great community again. It is important that we continue to maintain our high quality of life and small-town feel that makes Prior Lake so unique. I will work to ensure that Prior Lake remains a safe and desirable place to raise a family and continue to encourage business investment in our community.
The city has more than 50 parks and within many, the grounds and equipment need updating and/or replacement. How should the city proceed in establishing a parks priority plan and how would you recommend these improvements be funded?
Prior Lake has four times the national average of parks for a city of our size and the funding to replace them has not been prioritized for decades. While we have made progress in funding the replacement of the parks over the past eight years, it is not adequate to make up for a lack of funding for 30 years. The city has completed the first-ever Parks Master Plan; to grade, prioritize and plan for the upgrades or replacement of parks. This year the council will be continuing to evaluate the replacement and funding options for the community.
What is your short-term and long-term vision for development in Prior Lake, i.e. what do we need more of and what should be protected for development in the future?
Prior Lake is a desirable community. I would anticipate further investment in commercial and resident developments in our city. It is important we continue to maintain our high quality of life and preserve and protect our small-town feel. We have made considerable progress in the growth of our commercial tax base over the past eight years. We need to continue to encourage commercial growth which diversifies the city’s tax base, reducing the burden on our residential tax base, while also providing for the commercial services that our community desires.
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Ethan Hellier
Please introduce yourself to readers, and include length of time you have lived here, family, education, career, reasons for running for elected office and anything else you would like our readers to know about you.
My wife, Kelly and I, along with our two children, Reagan (4) and Greyson (eight months) are proud seven-year residents of Prior Lake. We moved to Prior Lake in 2017 after both growing up in Lakeville. I graduated from St. John’s University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. I currently work in public affairs in the property and casualty insurance industry. My background in public service and community involvement equips me with the skills and perspective needed to address Prior Lake’s challenges and opportunities.
The city has more than 50 parks and within many, the grounds and equipment need updating and/or replacement. How should the city proceed in establishing a parks priority plan and how would you recommend these improvements be funded?
Prior Lake’s commitment to providing robust city services is one of the reasons we decided to call Prior Lake home. However, we are now at a crossroads as we begin to plan for the future of our parks system. Unfortunately, some of the parks have fallen into disrepair. The council will be evaluating the future of our parks in 2025, making it imperative that we receive public feedback on vision and investment.
What is your short-term and long-term vision for development in Prior Lake, i.e. what do we need more of and what should be protected for development in the future?
I am passionate about fostering a thriving community. I will emphasize enhancing local services, while prioritizing fiscal responsibility, as well as protecting local governance. I will also support the growth of our business community. It is paramount that we continue to commit to economic development and the expansion of commercial property to help correct the unbalanced tax burden on our residential taxpayers. A thriving local economy will also create jobs and opportunities for the citizens of Prior Lake.
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