WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI (WSAU) — The Mayor’s job in Wisconsin Rapids could get a little bigger. At least when it comes to the length of the commitment.
Mayor Matt Zacher says the City Council is in the final stages of stretching the Mayor’s term from two to three years. Zacher says a two-year term just isn’t enough time to really get acclimated to both major aspects of the job. “What you are being elected to do is be the Mayor for the residents and business. Be connected to them and make sure the Government is connected to them. But, you’re also being asked to be the administrator or CEO of the overall organization. That in itself is a broad responsibility.
“So you’re doing both, and not a lot of communities [have a mayor that does] both,” added Zacher.
Some felt the city should go to a four-year term for the position, but Zacher says three ended up being the happy medium. “Four years would give the Mayor more time to have a vision and accomplish it. But for those on the other side who said ‘well if we really don’t like the person or they are really bad at being Mayor we want to be able to get rid of them in two years.'”
A three-year term also lets the Mayor’s election occur in alternating even and odd-numbered years, meaning it won’t always occur with the same set of Aldermanic districts. For example, the winner of the 2029 Mayor’s election would serve until 2032 and be up for re-election alongside the even-numbered Alder districts.
Zacher admits that the proposal seems oddly self-serving and did offer to put the move on hold until the next new Mayor, but he was told that probably wouldn’t happen. “At least that’s on the record. That, in my time, I’m fine if it doesn’t change. Because it is a little bit awkward.”
The Council still needs to hold a final vote on the issue, which Zacher says may require a two-thirds majority. If approved, it would go into effect for the winner of the 2026 election.
Other topics Mayor Zacher discussed with WSAU’s Mike Leischner include:
Start of video- Proposal to lengthen the Mayor’s term
6:50- ATV/UTV ordinance
13:15- Call for residents to serve on Commissions or Boards
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