Fond du Lac council appoints temporary Lakeside municipal judge, sets special election for Nov. 4

The Fond du Lac City Council unanimously passed two resolutions on June 25 to appoint a temporary municipal judge for the Lakeside Municipal Court and to order a special election on Nov. 4, 2025, to fill the position.

City Attorney Teresa Hoffman introduced the appointment and explained the Lakeside Municipal Court is a multi‑municipality court; the sitting judge is retiring and the court's executive committee identified a temporary replacement. "The person that is being named as a temporary one may choose to run in November, but is not required to," Hoffman said.

When asked who would fill the temporary vacancy, Hoffman identified Troy Damstig and described him as "a very recently retired captain from the Ripon Police Department." Councilmember Heisler thanked Judge Jerry Shea for his service; Hoffman said the executive committee solicited a temporary replacement and requested the council pass both resolutions.

Actions taken: - Resolution 9188 (appointment of temporary municipal judge): motion by Mr. Godfrey, second by Mr. Heisler; outcome: approved unanimously. - Resolution 9189 (ordering special election for municipal judge of the Lakeside Municipal Court for Nov. 4, 2025): motion by Mr. Schisler, second by Mr. Godfrey; outcome: approved unanimously.

Hoffman told the council that the temporary judge could run in the special election and that the field would be open to anyone who files. She also said the district head judge declined additional extensions, prompting the need for the special election. The council did not amend either resolution and no further conditions were stated during the meeting.