Should Waukesha Have a Part-time Mayor?

A Waukesha alderman would like the citizens to decide if the mayor’s position should be full time or part time.

Alderman Duane Paulson said Monday afternoon that he wants to put that question to a referendum. If Waukesha were to make the position part time, it would not be until after current Mayor Jeff Scrima’s first term has concluded in April 2014.

“It is not my intent to cut off the mayor before his term is up,” Paulson said.

The full-time city administrator position was created during former Mayor Carol Lombardi’s time in office and Lombardi had once campaigned on making the mayoral position part time, Paulson said.

“Obviously that did not happen,” Paulson said. “I still think that is a good idea.”

Paulson plans to make a referral during tonight’s Common Council meeting to begin the process of exploring a possible referendum. All that will be said at tonight's meeting is Paulson's referral at the end of the meeting. No discussion or action will be taken.

“The people will speak,” Paulson said.