The Mayor is the Chief Executive Officer of the City, responsible for ensuring that all City ordinances and State laws are observed and enforced, and that all City Officers, Boards and Commissions properly discharge their duties. The Mayor nominates to Council the appointment of certain City employees, Board and Commission members, and is chairman of the Plan Commission and the Community Development Authority. The Mayor presides at the meetings of the Common Council, voting only in cases relating to tie votes. The Mayor is elected for a 3-year term of office, with the current term expiring April 2011.
The Common Council is the legislative branch of City government. Its primary purpose is the passage of laws, ordinances and policies, establishment of pay ranges for City employees and official management of the City's financial affairs; its budget, its revenues, and the raising of funds for the operation of the City. The Common Council is comprised of the Mayor and 6 Aldermen (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) representing the 6 Aldermanic Districts, serving 3-year overlapping terms effective for those elected in April 2001 and after.
The Municipal Judge is elected every 3 years and presides over the Municipal Court, adjudicating violations of municipal ordinances and traffic citations and imposing forfeitures where provided by law. The judge is required by local Ordinances to be a licensed attorney.
Boards and Commissions of the City serve primarily in an advisory role to the Mayor and Common Council in developing policies and managing the affairs of the City to best serve its citizens. Boards and Commissions allow for additional citizen input beyond that of the elected officials. Certain Boards and Commissions are required under Wisconsin statutes (e.g., the Board of Public Works and Plan Commission); others have been established to oversee certain activities.