February 2, 2025 – West Bend, Wi – The West Bend Finance Committee is expected to vote Monday, February 3, 2025 to raise the pay for alderman and mayor in 2027. The question of a pay increase was posed to three candidates running for Dist. 2 alderman. What do you think? Should elected officials in the City of West Bend get a pay hike?
The increase being proposed is a near doubling of the mayor’s salary in 2027 to $14,245 and increasing the council pay for 2027 from $4,236 to $7,175. Monthly expense allowances are also proposed to increase in 2027.
In January the Finance Committee reviewed repealing and replacing a part of the municipal code involving common council and mayoral salaries and expense allowance.
District 2 alderman Mark Allen explained the proposed adjustment, saying people can’t run for office if they can’t pay for a babysitter.
“So, we’re basically saying, if you need to hire a babysitter to be on the common council, we don’t want you,” said Allen. “I think, at a minimum, you should be able to hire a babysitter to cover your meetings.”
Alderman on the dais sat quietly as the finance chair asked for someone to second the motion. Dist. 1 alderman John Butschlick questioned if he could make a different proposal. Butschlick requested data on how other communities compensate elected officials for their time.
Questioned after the meeting who was saying they needed a babysitter, Allen said, “Look at the council… it’s just a bunch of old guys.”
Asked for proof that babysitter pay was the reason people did not run for elected office, Allen said, “You’re not getting it… and this conversation is over.”
Candidate reactions to the proposal are below.
Riley Hansen: Keep the Budget in Check
Riley Hansen took a firm stance against the proposed pay increase. “I think they should leave it right where it is,” he said. “We need to be respectful to the taxpayers, and I don’t think we need to add any more to the budget than we already have.”
Even if funds were reallocated within the budget to support the pay hike, Hansen said he would still vote no.
Having knocked on nearly 900 doors in recent weeks, Hansen said financial transparency and budget responsibility are top concerns for voters. “People are upset with taxes as they are already,” he said. “I brought this topic up at an event last week, and people were very upset that it’s even being talked about.”
Hansen acknowledged higher pay would help financially struggling elected officials, but he believes the city has greater priorities. “Would it help? Yes. But I still don’t think it’s the right decision for the City of West Bend.”
Mike Hartwell: Open to a Moderate Increase
Mike Hartwell, while not opposed to an increase, believes the proposed hike is excessive. “It seems like a substantial jump when you go from $4,000 to $7,000 for a council member and from $7,000 to $14,000 for the mayor,” he said. “That’s a huge jump.”
Hartwell emphasized the need for historical context before making a decision. “I would need to know when increases have taken place and how long it’s been at the current structure,” he said. Upon researching city records, he found the last adjustment occurred in 2004.
Hartwell dismissed Allen’s claim that babysitting costs prevent people from running. “Not everybody needs a babysitter. If you have a spouse or a partner, that argument doesn’t necessarily hold up,” he said. “Maybe if you’re in a situation where you have young kids, then maybe that’s not the time to run for office.”
Though Hartwell is open to a more modest pay increase, he stressed fiscal responsibility. “I’m not in favor of it simply going on the tax base. You need to look at it as a budget item and see where the money can come from without increasing taxes,” he said. “If it’s not possible, then maybe there shouldn’t be an increase.”
Rhett Engelking supportive of increasing pay
Rhett Engelking leans in favor of an increase but wants it to be proportional to the cost of living. “It only makes sense to match the cost of living with an increase in pay,” he said. “The time the common council devotes to local government is time they could be earning elsewhere.”
He supports the idea that serving on the council should not result in financial strain. “When people serve on common council, just like when they serve on the school board, they shouldn’t be losing money to do so,” he said. While he acknowledged no one is serving purely for financial gain, he expressed concern that low pay could discourage everyday citizens from running for office. “Without fair compensation, it would only represent those who are retired or independently wealthy.”
Engelking suggests comparing West Bend’s pay structure to that of similar-sized municipalities to determine fairness. “If West Bend is above the median pay for other municipalities, then the increase would seem excessive. If it’s below, then it would seem fair.”
Looking Ahead
The Finance Committee’s decision on Monday, February 3, 2025, could shape future discussions about how West Bend compensates its elected officials. With opinions divided, the issue is likely to remain a talking point throughout the District 2 aldermanic race.
Below is the ordinance and history of salaries and expense allowance in the city of West Bend, WI.
2.11 SALARIES AND EXPENSE ALLOWANCE. (Rep. & Recr. Ord #2097 – 1/25/93; Am. Ord. #2276-3/10/97; Am. Ord. #2309-3/23/98). (1) The Mayor shall receive an annual salary of $7,618. 2-4 City of West Bend Municipal Code Back to Index 01/01/2020 COMMON COUNCIL 2.11 (2) (2) (Amend. Ord. #2468-1/6/03) (Effective April 15, 2003) Each Alderperson representing an odd numbered District shall receive an annual salary of $3,848.00. Following the spring election in 2004, each Alderperson representing an odd numbered District shall receive an annual salary of $4,236.00. Each Alderperson representing an even numbered District shall receive an annual salary of $4,236.00. (3) The above salaries shall be paid bi-weekly at the same time as City Employees. (4) In addition to the annual salaries: (a) The Mayor shall receive a $150 per month expense allowance; (b) The President of the Board of Public Works shall receive a $55 per month expense allowance; and (c) The other Alderpersons shall each receive a $30 per month expense allowance.
Below is a list of aldermen, their districts and contact information.
January 20, 2025 – West Bend, Wi – The West Bend Finance Committee meets at 6:25 p.m. and one of the agenda items involves repealing and replacing a part of the municipal code involving common council and mayoral salaries and expense allowance. The increase being proposed is a near doubling of the mayor’s salary in 2027 to $14,245 and increasing the council pay for 2027 from $4,236 to $7,175. Monthly expense allowances are also proposed to increase in 2027.
The council and mayoral positions are elected. Below is the contact information for your elected officials.
District 1
John Butschlick, Council President, District 1 Alderman
1518 Bluebell Drive, West Bend, WI 53095
(262) 334-0466
Email District 1 Alderman Butschlick
District 1 Map
District 2
Mark Allen, District 2 Alderman
1111 Poplar Street, West Bend, WI 53095
(262) 893-8682
Email District 2 Alderman Allen
District 2 Map
District 3
Brett Bergquist, District 3 Alderman
1602 Highlandview Drive, West Bend, WI 53095
(262) 212-5269
Email District 3 Alderman Bergquist
District 3 Map
District 4
Matt Sternig, District 4 Alderman
1700 Sagewood Circle, West Bend, WI 53095
(262) 993-9845
Email District 4 Alderman Sternig
District 4 Map
District 5
Mary Beth Seiser, District 5 Alderwoman
702 Eastern Avenue, West Bend, WI 53095
(262) 707-7208
Email District 5 Alderwoman Seiser
District 5 Map
District 6
John Spartz, District 6 Alderman
1510 Annie Place, West Bend, WI 53095
(262) 483-6516
Email District 6 Alderman Spartz
District 6 Map
District 7
Bill Schmidt, District 7 Alderman
1729 Koller Lane, West Bend, WI 53090
(262) 388-5549
Email District 7 Alderman Schmidt
District 7 Map
District 8
Aaron Zingsheim, District 8 Alderman
616 Marshal Court, West Bend, WI 53090
(262) 689-7999
Email District 8 Alderman Zingsheim
District 8 Map
Joel Ongert
Mayor
Location
1115 S. Main Street
Phone
(262) 335-5111
Email
mayor@ci.west-bend.wi.us
Calls have been placed to council members. Still waiting for response. This is a working story, and more information will be posted when details are available.
Monday’s meeting begins at 6:25 p.m. and is held in the council chambers at City Hall, 1115 S. Main Street, in West Bend, WI. The meeting is open to the public.
