Scotts Valley City Council Election 2026: Reber, Wimp and Zeller Vie for Two Seats

Three candidates are running at large for two seats on the five-member Scotts Valley City Council on Nov. 3, and the top two vote-getters win. Two-time mayor Derek Timm decided not to run again, the Press Banner reports. Lookout Santa Cruz says the long-awaited town center is the issue to watch.

The candidates

Mike Zeller is director of programming and project delivery for the Transportation Agency for Monterey County. He wants the city to be "a little more aggressive" about financing projects, such as investor-backed bonds for housing, and wants a down-payment assistance program. Timm has endorsed Zeller and Wimp.

Danny Reber is executive director of the nonprofit Valley Churches United and the former head of the Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce. He says the city should build strong relationships with community groups and points to his management of the Scotts Valley Art Wine & Beer Fest. "The city manager needs to be a master of relationships," he said.

Greg Wimp owns three Togo's sandwich franchises and was appointed to the council last year. "I'm not a politician," he told the Press Banner. He wants to keep Scotts Valley attractive for businesses and said raising taxes is not on his agenda. Wimp and Reber have endorsed each other, though they are not running as a slate. Vice Mayor Steve Clark has endorsed both.

Also on the ballot

Mayor Donna Lind chairs the campaign for Measure G, which would raise the hotel tax from 11% to 13% and bring in an estimated $300,000 to $400,000 a year.

Where to vote

The Scotts Valley Public Library, 251 Kings Village Road, opened as a vote center Oct. 24. Scotts Valley High School, 555 Glenwood Drive, opens Oct. 31. The city's drop box is in the City Hall parking lot at 1 Civic Center Drive.

How to vote

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls and vote centers close at 8 p.m., and mailed ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and arrive within seven days. You can check your registration and ballot status at sos.ca.gov/elections. California lets you register and vote the same day at a vote center.