Waukesha committee forwards proposal to make city attorney an appointed post after split debate

The Waukesha City Ordinance and Licensing Committee voted 3–1 on Aug. 25, 2025, to forward a draft ordinance to the full Common Council that would make the city attorney an appointed position rather than an elected office.

The proposal attracted extended debate during the committee’s meeting. Brian Bridal, the city attorney, told the committee that “if you do decide to make it appointed, I can't stress enough that it's important to take measures to maintain the independence of the position.” Bridal said draft language aims to make clear that “the client is the city,” not individual elected officials.

Supporters of making the position appointed said it would broaden the pool of qualified candidates and allow the city to recruit attorneys who do not live within the city limits. Alder Alicia said she did not “like the idea of taking power away from voters,” but added she is concerned there are “not very many lawyers that live within the city limits,” and that allowing nonresidents could attract more qualified applicants.

Opponents said appointment risks politicizing the office and could subject the attorney to pressure from the mayor, city administrator or council members. One committee member, identified in the meeting as Joe, framed the issue as a risk-management question: officials could place “undue pressure” on an appointed attorney because of closer workplace relationships. He urged keeping the office elected to preserve independence.

Committee members discussed alternatives, including an employment contract with a defined term, a requirement that removal occur only for cause, or other draft terms that would preserve independence if the position becomes appointed. Bridal and other members noted that a charter ordinance process and the council’s timeline affect candidate filing deadlines; Bridal warned that a charter ordinance does not take effect until 60 days after passage and that scheduling three readings could push timing close to candidate filing dates.

After discussion the committee voted 3–1 to send the draft ordinance as written to the full Common Council for consideration. The committee chair advised members to bring specific proposed revisions to the council meeting so the body can work efficiently rather than opening the draft to unfocused debate.

Votes at a glance

- Amendment of premises application — Compass Group USA Inc., Class B beer and liquor license (amend premises to include seating area in both football field and field house): Motion to approve was made and seconded; second recorded as Alder Lemke. Committee recorded individual “aye” votes (including Alban Sleben and others) and the motion passed unanimously. (See committee minutes and transcript for details.)

- Temporary Class B license — Corpus Christi Celebration Festival (temporary event in church parking lot, licensed premises defined to tented area): Applicant amended map and description to confine licensed premises to the tent area. Committee motion to approve assumed the licensee would fence or otherwise define the tent perimeter as described; motion was seconded and passed unanimously (aye votes recorded for Halvinsleben, Lumke and others).

- Draft ordinance to make city attorney an appointed position: Motion to forward the draft ordinance to the full Common Council passed 3–1. The committee’s record states only the tally (3 yes, 1 no) for that motion.

What happens next

The draft charter ordinance will go to the full Common Council for additional discussion and readings. Committee members said they intend to bring specific suggested revisions to the council meeting so the body can consider changes before second and third readings. Because the measure is a charter ordinance, committee members were reminded that it would not take effect until 60 days after passage.

Speakers who addressed the topic at committee meeting: Lisa Selb (public commenter), Brian Bridal (city attorney), Alder Alicia (committee member), Joe (committee member), Dean (committee member), Paul (committee member), Alder Lemke, Alder Halvinsleben, Alder Manion, Alder Moulton, Molly (clerk) and Beth (council member).