The Council adopts ordinances and resolutions necessary for efficient government operations, approves contracts, and the city’s budget. It appoints the City Attorney, as well as the members of the City’s citizen committees, who are recommended to the Council for their appointments by the Mayor. The City Administrator reports to the Committee of the Whole, consisting of the 12 alders and excluding the Mayor.
The Common Council meets regularly once a month at 6:30 pm and may call additional special sessions, including Committee of the Whole meetings, as necessary. The Common Council meets at City Hall in the Council Chambers, located at 7725 W. North Avenue.
You can find the Common Council’s agendas, minutes, meeting packets, and videos of their meetings in the Meeting Portal. You are encouraged to attend Common Council meetings or follow along on the Council’s actions through the Meeting Portal. All meetings are open to the public. There is no public comment during Common Council meetings, except during public hearings. Public comment is welcome in discussions at the council committee meetings at the discretion of the committee chair.
Changes to the Size of the Common Council
In 2022, Wauwatosa voters passed a referendum to change the size of the Common Council from 16 to 12 members and create term limits for Alderpersons, so that no person could serve more than two consecutive four-year terms (unless one full term or more has passed since that person last held office).
Timeline
- April 2024 – All aldermanic positions elected in April 2024 will serve a two-year term.
- April 2026 – Wauwatosa represented by (1) alderperson per district in (12) districts. Alders in districts 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 districts are elected for only a two-year term for this election only. The other aldermanic positions will serve a four-year term.
- April 2028 – All aldermanic positions elected in April 2028 will serve a four-year term.
