City Council

City Council Agendas and Minutes

The City of Fort Atkinson has a Council - Manager form of government.

City Manager

Manager Rebecca Houseman
rhouseman@fortatkinsonwi.gov
Ph: 920-397-9901

City Council - Email


City Council - Phone


Membership

The City Council consists of five members elected at large, who serve for terms of two years. Of the five members, two are elected in each of the even-numbered years and three in each of the odd-numbered years.

Meetings

Regular meetings:

The council meets annually on the third Tuesday of April for the purpose of organization and regular meetings are held on the first and third Tuesdays of every month thereafter. If the date of a regular meeting falls upon a legal holiday or day of an election, the Council may meet the following Thursday.

Special meetings:

Special meetings of the Council may be called by the Council President, or by any two Councilmembers or by the City Manager.

Time and place:

Regular meetings of the Council are held in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building at 7 pm. Special meetings are held at the same place and at the time designated in the notice thereof.

City Council’s Role:

The city council is the community’s legislative and policymaking body. Power is centralized in the elected council, which, for example, approves the budget and determines the tax rate. The council also focuses on the community’s goals, major projects and such long-term considerations as community growth, land use development and capital improvement and financing. The council hires the city manager to implement the administrative responsibilities related to these goals.

Council President’s Role:

The council president is a voting member of the city council who presides at council meetings. The president is elected each year by a majority vote of the city council. The president recommends appointments to committees, boards and commissions for council approval.

City Manager’s Role:

The city manager is hired to serve the council and the community and brings to the city the benefits of training and experience in administering municipal projects and programs. The manager prepares a budget for the council’s consideration; recruits, hires, terminates, and supervises government staff; serves as the council’s chief advisor; and carries out the council’s policies. The manager makes policy recommendations to the council for consideration and final decision. The city manager also serves as chair of the city planning commission.