Mayor’s office to be left vacant until April 2022
For the Hub City Times
MARSHFIELD – Marshfield aldermen will let city residents choose the next mayor, and they won’t do so for another 342 days. The common council voted 10-0 on April 28 in favor of leaving the office vacant until the city’s next regular general election April 5.
The council’s decision comes 36 days after an 8-2 vote on March 22 to remove Bob McManus from the mayor’s position over misconduct allegations.
Aldermen chose to wait, over two other recommendations from Marshfield City Administrator Steve Barg to appoint someone or hold a special election. Assuming a primary would be needed, City Clerk Deb Hall said the earliest that could happen would be June 15, followed by a general election July 13. She said it would come with a price tag somewhere close to $20,000.
Alderman Ed Wagner voted in favor of waiting, something he was not in favor of doing two weeks ago.
Barg was directed by the council to look into another possible option: implementing a mayor and city manager form of government. A city manager has powers a mayor and city administrator do not.
In the meantime, new council president, Nick Poeschel will perform the baseline duties of the mayor’s office, such as presiding over council meetings and signing official documents.