James Bayliss
MN · Hibbing City Council Member, Ward 1
James Bayliss is a Hibbing city councilor for Ward 1 and a local business owner who has also served on the Hibbing Public Utilities Commission. He has said the city needs more businesses to grow its tax base and ease high property taxes.
Where James Bayliss stands, based on their records
Supports
Government Efficiency (1 record), Housing Affordability (1 record), Social Programs and Welfare (1 record),
Opposes
Environment and Public Health (1 record), Government Spending Reduction (8 records)
Track record
Track record — Environment and Public Health
Environment and Public Health · 1 oppose
Voted to keep masks optional in Hibbing city buildings instead of requiring them. The motion passed, with one councilor voting no.
September 22, 2021Opposes Environment and Public Health
Source: hibbingmn.api.civicclerk.com
Track record — Government Efficiency
Government Efficiency · 1 support
Moved to adopt the 2023 City of Hibbing Strategic Plan after the city administrator presented it. It passed.
May 17, 2023Supports Government Efficiency
Source: hibbingmn.api.civicclerk.com
Track record — Government Spending Reduction
Government Spending Reduction · 8 oppose
Moved to lend $250,000 from city funds to start site work on the Dillon Road redevelopment project. It passed.
November 19, 2025Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: hibbingmn.api.civicclerk.com
Moved to give early approval to bonds for a senior affordable apartment project and to set a public hearing on it. It passed.
March 12, 2025Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: hibbingmn.api.civicclerk.com
Moved to approve a $9,336,684 state loan note for Hibbing Public Utilities to replace old water system parts. He said HPU would replace more each year if it could afford to. It passed.
December 13, 2023Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: hibbingmn.api.civicclerk.com
Moved to set Hibbing's preliminary 2023 property tax levy at $9,993,520. It passed.
September 21, 2022Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: hibbingmn.api.civicclerk.com
Moved to give $35,000 in federal COVID relief (American Rescue Plan) money to the new Boys & Girls Club branch in Hibbing. It passed.
June 1, 2022Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: hibbingmn.api.civicclerk.com
Voted against delaying, then seconded and voted for buying two lots near the Memorial Building for $119,000. The purchase passed 4-3.
May 18, 2022Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: hibbingmn.api.civicclerk.com
Moved to set aside $1,382,328 of the city's 2020 budget surplus for capital repairs, equipment and buildings. It passed.
October 20, 2021Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: hibbingmn.api.civicclerk.com
Moved a resolution asking the state for 2022 bonding money to build a new Hibbing public safety building. It passed.
June 9, 2021Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: hibbingmn.api.civicclerk.com
Track record — Housing Affordability
Housing Affordability · 1 support
Moved to give early approval to bonds for a senior affordable apartment project and to set a public hearing on it. It passed.
March 12, 2025Supports Housing Affordability
Source: hibbingmn.api.civicclerk.com
Track record — Social Programs and Welfare
Social Programs and Welfare · 1 support
Moved to give $35,000 in federal COVID relief (American Rescue Plan) money to the new Boys & Girls Club branch in Hibbing. It passed.
June 1, 2022Supports Social Programs and Welfare
Source: hibbingmn.api.civicclerk.com
Track record — Public Infrastructure
Public Infrastructure · 4 support
Moved to raise Hibbing sewer and stormwater rates by 1%, as set in the budget, starting February 1, 2025. It passed.
January 22, 2025Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: hibbingmn.api.civicclerk.com
Moved to approve a $9,336,684 state loan note for Hibbing Public Utilities to replace old water system parts. He said HPU would replace more each year if it could afford to. It passed.
December 13, 2023Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: hibbingmn.api.civicclerk.com
Moved to set aside $1,382,328 of the city's 2020 budget surplus for capital repairs, equipment and buildings. It passed.
October 20, 2021Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: hibbingmn.api.civicclerk.com
Moved a resolution asking the state for 2022 bonding money to build a new Hibbing public safety building. It passed.
June 9, 2021Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: hibbingmn.api.civicclerk.com
Track record — General
General · 4 records
Won re-election to the Ward 1 council seat with 1,033 votes (64%), defeating Patrick Garrity, who had 575.
November 8, 2022
Source: electionresultsfiles.sos.mn.gov
Served on the Hibbing Public Utilities Commission during his first council term, as he told the Mesabi Tribune.
October 21, 2022
Source: mesabitribune.com
Won the Hibbing City Council Ward 1 seat with 1,034 votes (58%), defeating six-term incumbent Patty Shafer, who had 741.
November 6, 2018
Source: electionresultsfiles.sos.mn.gov
Worked as a financial professional with Thrivent Financial before joining the council, according to the Mesabi Tribune.
November 2, 2018
Source: mesabitribune.com
Past race James Bayliss ran in:
- City Council Member Ward 1 · November 3, 2026 · Hibbing city, Minnesota · incumbent