Ann Arbor Ward 3 candidates spar over housing, public power and worker pay at League forum

Donna Snyder, moderator for the League of Women Voters of Washington County, hosted an online candidate forum on Aug. 4 for Ann Arbor City Council Ward 3, featuring candidates Ryan Bartholomew and Ashley Hall.

Bartholomew framed his campaign around protecting working-class families and municipal employees, criticizing the current council for being deferential to corporate interests. He said he favors building permanently affordable, publicly owned housing such as co‑ops and land trusts rather than directing large public subsidies to private developers.

Hall, who described her municipal government experience and roots in organizing, said she supports a mix of strategies to expand affordability. She praised the Ann Arbor Housing Commission’s efforts and the Ann Arbor Community Land Trust while saying the city should use multiple tools, including public–private partnerships and community land trusts, to increase housing access.

Both candidates sharply criticized the Arbor South financing deal: Bartholomew called it emblematic of misplaced priorities and cited figures showing large long-term tax subsidies for the project; Hall said future TIF or brownfield proposals must deliver clear public benefit, avoid environmental harm and be sited where they minimize the loss of trees and neighborhood character.

On energy, Bartholomew said the Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU) was a positive first step but said he supports municipalization of the utility to accelerate a switch to renewable power and to remove corporate influence. Hall said she supports the SEU pilot (noting Bryant neighborhood work) and is open to municipalization if costs are transparent and governance includes elected oversight.

On the green rental housing ordinance, both candidates supported energy-efficiency standards but emphasized preventing compliance costs from being passed to renters. Hall proposed targeted rebates or a small grant program for smaller landlords; Bartholomew highlighted tenant protections and said he will continue work with the tenants union to curb rent pressures.

Both candidates prioritized fair compensation for city employees. Hall, a municipal worker, said restoring contracts and raises is a top budget priority; Bartholomew said he has joined worker demonstrations and criticized council members who gave themselves raises while municipal staff went without.

They also discussed ways to broaden participation in local government, with proposals ranging from expanded commission seats for people with lived experience to participatory budgeting and frequent neighborhood office hours.

The forum concluded with closing statements reiterating each candidate’s emphasis on accessibility and service to working families. The League encouraged viewers to vote in the Aug. primary.

The forum did not include formal motions or votes.