Marshfield Common Council to Discuss Replacement Options Following Ed Wagner’s Resignation

MARSHFIELD, WI (OnFocus) – On September 10, 2024, Ed Wagner submitted his resignation as the District 5 representative on the Marshfield Common Council, effective September 11. The resignation leaves the Council with several decisions to make regarding how to fill the now-vacant seat.

The Common Council is set to discuss the options during its upcoming meeting on Tuesday. Under Section 2-06 of the Marshfield Municipal Code, the Council has four primary options to address the vacancy:

1. Appoint a Replacement: The Council may opt to fill the vacancy by appointment. If this route is chosen, a public notice will be posted from September 25 through October 14, with interested candidates submitting their applications during this time. Applicants would then present themselves at the October 21 Council meeting, with a final decision to be made by November 12.
2. Leave the Seat Vacant: The Council may decide to leave the District 5 seat vacant until the next scheduled election in April 2026. This would leave the district without representation for over a year.
3. Call for a Special Election: A special election could be called, with the most economical timing coinciding with the Spring Primary on February 18, 2025, and the Spring Election on April 1, 2025.
4. Combination of Appointment and Special Election: The Council could appoint a temporary representative by November 12, while also planning a special election for April 2025. The appointee would serve until the election and could choose to run for the seat at that time.

The decision on how to proceed will impact the representation of District 5, and the Council aims to balance the need for immediate representation with the costs associated with each option.

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