League of Women Voters Ann Arbor City Council Ward 3 Democratic Primary Candidates Forum - 2026

This transcript is from a 2026 candidate forum for the Ann Arbor City Council Ward 3 Democratic primary, hosted by the League of Women Voters. The candidates, Ryan Bartholomew and Ashley Hall, discussed key local issues including affordable housing, public-private partnerships, tax increment financing (TIF) deals, municipal utilities, climate goals, and city employee compensation. Both candidates expressed strong support for affordable housing initiatives, with Bartholomew opposing the Arbor South development's large TIF subsidy and advocating for permanently affordable, publicly owned housing. Hall emphasized public-private partnerships and praised the Ann Arbor Housing Commission's efforts. They also debated the merits of the city's Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU) and the prospect of municipalizing electric utilities, with both showing cautious support but differing on implementation concerns. Employee wages and contracts were highlighted as critical priorities, with both candidates supporting fair compensation for city workers. The forum included discussions on land use planning, community engagement, and the need for accessible, affordable living in Ann Arbor. No specific contract awards or procurement actions were detailed, but the conversation focused heavily on budget priorities, public funding commitments, and development subsidies that impact future procurement and city spending.