BillWangemann.com"If you don't known where you have been you can't know where you are going."
The City Administrator Form of Government
When the City of Sheboygan received its charter in 1853, times were far simpler. There were just a few thousand persons living in the city of Sheboygan. Our fire department consisted of a few horse drawn wagons; we had no police department, just a few constables and a town crier who watched over the city at night. The city treasurer kept city funds in a tin box in his desk drawer. At the very beginning we had but four aldermen who had, as part of their duties, the responsibility of lighting the street lamps in their district and turning them off again at dawn. We had a city clock winder whose job it was to wind all city clocks; and cows and pigs roaming 8th street in the area of what was to become Fountain Park were a problem. Times and City Government were, as previously stated, far simpler and much less complex.
For many years the job of Mayor was a part time position. But as the years drifted by government became more complex and it was in the year 1962 that Amil C.A. Muuss was elected as Sheboygan's first full time mayor. Then, as now, there are no qualifications that a candidate for the officer of Mayor must meet, other then getting the most votes.
With a city budget of over $33,000,000 the time for professional management of our city business has arrived. No company with a budget of this size would dream of electing a CEO to manage its business. Could you imagine Kohler Company electing its CEO next year and a sweeper from the shipping depart is elected to run the company? This may sound ridiculous but this is how Sheboygan is run.
Some years ago Sheboygan County put in place the job of County administrator which has worked out very well. One of the first questions asked is "Will the voters lose control of their government?" The answer to that is a resounding no. The City Administrator answers to the council who can, for cause, fire the city manager. Much of what are now political decisions would be made by a skilled and qualified manager, relieving the mayor of many daily decisions. Budgeting, personnel matters and union contracts, just to mention a few, would all be taken out of the political arena and made as sound business decisions. Most cities, and there are many in Wisconsin, who go to this form of government keep the office of mayor as a part time job. The mayor would still run the council, be the cities good will ambassador and set policy for the council to follow.
If elected I would take the extraordinarily unique stand of doing everything in my power to eliminate the very job I was just elected to. It is my opinion that unless a mayor is elected on the promise to eliminate his job no sitting mayor would ever support this form of government.
Once elected what would be my plan to change city government?
- A special blue ribbon committee of at least 3 Alderman and 3 private citizens skilled in business would be immediately formed to completely investigate all the pros and cons of the city administrator type of government.
- This committee would have up to 1 year to form a conclusion.
- The committee would then prepare a comprehensive report to the council for deliberation.
- After the council studied and deliberated the committees report informational forums would be held at several locations around the city to completely inform citizens and to answer questions.
- Once the council had time to deliberate the question a binding referendum would be called for, so as to leave the final decision in the hands of the citizens of Sheboygan.
A complete discussion of this question is far too complex in this limited space. Should you have any questions or concerns on this matter do not hesitate to call me or contact me by E-mail.
Telephone: 458-2974
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