Jefferson council appoints Brandon White as temporary municipal court judge; special election set for Nov. 2026

The City of Jefferson Common Council unanimously appointed Attorney Brandon White as Municipal Court Judge on Dec. 16, 2025, under Resolution No. 72. The appointment follows the resignation of Joann Miller, effective Dec. 31, 2025 at 12:00 p.m., and is temporary until a special election is held as required by state law.

Resolution No. 72 cites Wis. Stat. § 8.50(4)(fm) and notes the appointment is effective only until the Tuesday after the first Monday in November 2026, when a special election must be held to elect a judge to serve the remainder of the unexpired term. The Personnel Committee interviewed several applicants before the appointment was brought to the full council. Ald. Tully moved the resolution and Ald. Schroeder seconded; the motion carried unanimously on roll call.

Public participants addressed the judge vacancy during the meeting’s public-comment period. Amy Johnson spoke about how the judge position was structured to replace the retiring judge; Joann Miller commented on the position; Brandon White asked to respond to earlier comments. Attorney Rogers thanked Judge Miller for her years of service and stated he did not see a conflict with Brandon White sharing a mutual employee: “I don't see any conflict with Brandon White and myself sharing a mutual employee, he can do his work himself since it's very minimal,” the minutes record.

The council recorded no recorded opposition to the appointment in the minutes; the special election timing and effective dates are set by the cited statute.