Madison, WI Header
File #: 80671    Version: Name: Common Council Vacancies
Type: Ordinance Status: Passed
File created: 11/1/2023 In control: Attorney's Office
On agenda: 12/5/2023 Final action: 1/9/2024
Enactment date: 1/18/2024 Enactment #: ORD-24-00004
Title: AMENDED: Amending Sections 2.03(3) and (5) of the Madison General Ordinances related to filling Common Council vacancies to amend the process for filling Common Council vacancies.
Sponsors: Nasra Wehelie
Attachments: 1. Currie amendment
Fiscal Note
Any fiscal impacts are anticipated to be minimal. Beginning in 2025, alders will be elected to staggered terms with some alders being on the ballot every year. No appropriation is required.
Title
AMENDED: Amending Sections 2.03(3) and (5) of the Madison General Ordinances related to filling Common Council vacancies to amend the process for filling Common Council vacancies.
Body
DRAFTER’S ANALYSIS: This ordinance requires the Common Council Executive Committee to rank its top two preferred candidates to fill a vacancy in the position of alder. It also requires that, when a vacancy occurs on or prior to November 15th, that a special election be held at the following Spring Election to elect a successor to the appointed alder.

The amendment removes the proposed change to 2.03(3), as recommended by the Common Council Executive Committee.

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The Common Council of the City of Madison do hereby ordain as follows:

1. Subsection (3) of Section 2.03 entitled “Procedure to Fill Vacancies on the Common Council” of the Madison General Ordinances is amended as follows:

“(3) The Common Council Executive Committee shall review the applications and, following opportunities for personal candidate interviews, shall recommend to the Common Council a candidate selected for confirmation to fill the vacancy. If more than one individual applies for the position, the Committee shall rank at least its top two preferred candidates. If the Common Council Executive Committee is unable to agree on a candidate to recommend, it may recommend more than one candidate, or it may reopen the application process to seek additional applicants.”


2. Subsection (5) of Section 2.03 entitled “Procedure to Fill Vacancies on the Common Council” of the Madison General Ordinances is amended as follows:

“(5) The If a vacancy occurs after November 15th of the first year of an alder’s term, the appointed a...

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