Ward 3 City Councilor Howland to step down
City News January 8, 2026Albert Lea City Councilor Jason Howland plans to announce his resignation from the Ward 3 seat at the Jan. 12 council meeting. Howland, who was first elected in 2016, is moving to Wabasha, Minn.
He also serves as the council representative on the Parks and Recreation Board, Convention and Visitors Bureau Board and Shell Rock River Watershed District Advisory Committee.
“After living in Albert Lea for nearly 30 years, this was a very difficult decision to say goodbye to a community I’ve called home for so long. But my wife and I are also excited about starting a new chapter in our lives on the Mississippi River, living closer to my family at a location that we’ve loved visiting for many years and have enjoyed my passion of fishing during many weekend trips,” Howland said.
“When I first ran for city council 10 years ago, I wanted to be a voice for positive change in Albert Lea. Over the last decade, I believe that there have been many positive things accomplished involving housing, public safety, parks, recreation, infrastructure improvements and economic growth.”
He added, “The future continues to look bright for Albert Lea, and the community should feel confident that your mayor, city council and city staff are all exceptional people working together to accomplish many more positive things for the city moving forward.”
The council is scheduled to vote Monday on declaring a vacancy, the first step in filling the seat. Under city ordinance, the mayor can appoint a resident of Ward 3 to fill the seat until a special election is held in conjunction with the general election on Nov. 3, 2026.
The Albert Lea City Council meets Jan. 12 at 5:30 p.m. for a work session and 7 p.m. for its regular meeting. Both are open to the public and held in the council chambers on the top floor of City Hall, 221 E. Clark St. The regular meeting is also on the city’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/cityofalbertlea and Charter channel 180. For more information about the council, visit the city website at www.cityofalbertlea.org/government/city-council/.
For immediate release
Jan. 8, 2026
Media contact: City Manager Ian Rigg at 507-377-4330 or irigg@ci.albertlea.mn.us
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