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Council confirms Tara Alfonso to ethics board amid split on ethics‑code changes
Summary
Tara Alfonso was confirmed 6–5 to the Wausau ethics board after a contested hearing about her prior city employment; council debated an ordinance to broaden the ethics board's authority (including acting "on its own motion"), an amendment to remove that language passed unanimously, and the amended ordinance failed on a 0–11 vote.
The Wausau Common Council confirmed Mayor‑nominated Tara Alfonso to a seat on the city's ethics board on Jan. 13, following a floor hearing in which several alderpersons cited concerns about recent employment history and potential conflicts of interest. The confirmation passed on a 6–5 vote.
Several alderpersons said they were concerned that Alfonso's recent employment and an exit letter published in a local paper could create the appearance of conflicts; other members and the mayor pointed to her municipal legal background and said the board needs experienced members. Alfonso addressed the council and defended her impartiality, saying she had followed personnel procedures when she left her prior city employment and that, if a conflict arose, she would recuse herself. She told the council, "I have always committed myself to following the rules set forth in the law," and said she would apply ordinances objectively.
Separately, the council debated a related ordinance (file 26‑0106) to amend the ethics code — including proposed language to allow the ethics board to investigate "on its own motion". Multiple alderpersons raised worries that broad, subjective provisions (including language on "reputational damage") could invite costly investigations and chill speech. The council adopted an amendment to strike the "on its own motion" language unanimously, but when the main ordinance was taken as amended it failed on a roll call of 0–11.
Council members and the city attorney referenced state code language that allows a municipality to grant such authority if it chooses; alderpersons who opposed the expansion said they preferred a citizen‑filed complaint trigger to limit investigations to matters raised by residents. The appointment and the ordinance debate reflected ongoing sensitivity on council to both the costs and perceived fairness of ethics processes.
