Joel Arnold
Candidate for Council Member, City of Flint, Ward 5
Background
- Occupation
- Policy director, Abundant Housing Michigan
- Campaign website
- votejoelarnold.com
Policy director at Abundant Housing Michigan; previously planning and advocacy manager at Communities First, Inc. and a staff member in the City of Flint's Blight Elimination Division. Co-founder and board president of Strong Towns Flint.
Documented positions
Public safety
Pledges to bring 911 response time to national average
ReportMeet the Primary Candidates: Fifth Ward Flint City CouncilCandidate questionnaire · East Village Magazine / Flint. Daily. · Jul 9, 2026 · eastvillagemagazine.org
“we cannot be satisfied until our 911 response time is the exact same as the national average”
Housing
Pledges focus on blight and illegal dumping
ReportMeet the Primary Candidates: Fifth Ward Flint City CouncilCandidate questionnaire · East Village Magazine / Flint. Daily. · Jul 9, 2026 · eastvillagemagazine.org
“keep a laser focus on solving blight issues, catching those who dump illegally in our city, and supporting institutions like the Blight Court”
Economy & jobs
Supports the data center moratorium while rules are drafted
ReportMeet the Primary Candidates: Fifth Ward Flint City CouncilCandidate questionnaire · East Village Magazine / Flint. Daily. · Jul 9, 2026 · eastvillagemagazine.org
“I support the city carrying this resolution through its year as it gives us time to craft appropriate rules.”
Roads & infrastructure
Proposes renegotiating water contracts to lower costs
ReportMeet the Primary Candidates: Fifth Ward Flint City CouncilCandidate questionnaire · East Village Magazine / Flint. Daily. · Jul 9, 2026 · eastvillagemagazine.org
“We must renegotiate our water contracts and lower costs for our residents wherever possible.”
Pledges focus on streetlights, potholes and road repaving
ReportMeet the Primary Candidates: Fifth Ward Flint City CouncilCandidate questionnaire · East Village Magazine / Flint. Daily. · Jul 9, 2026 · eastvillagemagazine.org
“fixing streetlights, fixing potholes and repaving roads”
Government & transparency
Supports the council's permanent Pride Month resolution
ReportMeet the Primary Candidates: Fifth Ward Flint City CouncilCandidate questionnaire · East Village Magazine / Flint. Daily. · Jul 9, 2026 · eastvillagemagazine.org
“Yes, I strongly support that resolution.”
Other issues in this race
Other candidates in this race addressed these topics. We found no documented position from Joel Arnold on them.
- Taxes & budgetNo documented position found.
All sources (2)
- Sample ballots, November 3, 2026 State General Election: Genesee County (every precinct)
Election filing · Michigan Department of State, Michigan Voter Information Center · mvic.sos.state.mi.us
- Meet the Primary Candidates: Fifth Ward Flint City Council
Candidate questionnaire · East Village Magazine / Flint. Daily. · Jul 9, 2026 · eastvillagemagazine.org
Positions are summarized from the sources listed and are not inferred from party affiliation. Items marked “Provided by” were published by the candidate's verified campaign or party office under our campaign content standards. See something wrong? Use the Report link beside it, or contact us.