Take the Poll: The Effective City Council Member

Candidate filing for office in Shorewood is July 30, 2024 until August 13, 2024 at 5 pm.  You will vote for three expiring terms: Labadie, Callies and Zerby.  

City council members represent their constituents.  A council member must be honest, transparent and accountable to the public when making responsible decisions that are in alignment with codes, statutes and best practices.

Know who you are voting for! Watch council meetings on Zoom.  See them in action.  

• Budgeting: 
  • Understand and actively participate in the budgeting process, including allocating funds to various departments and projects, regular clear reporting to the public;
  • Provide ongoing monitoring and study of the city’s financial health and expenditures.
• Oversight: Effective council representatives
  • Provide transparent oversight of city departments and contractual obligations to ensure that the public is being effectively served;
  • Diligently require city staff to provide detailed, understandable information for public understanding;
  • Expect equitable enforcement of applicable laws and governing regulations,  without distinction or discrimination;
  • Know and understand the city’s policies and ordinances to effectively participate in the oversight of the city and meet overall resident expectations for consistency and enforcement.
    
    
• Representation and Service to Constituents: 
  • Council members should consider their constituents in discussions within the city, with other government entities, community organizations, vendors and businesses;
  • Be approachable and accessible serving as a point of contact for concerned constituents, answering questions publicly, and advocating for residents.
    
    
• Transparent and accountable community engagement:
  • The council member should give constituents the opportunity for dialogue at public meetings, where all council members and residents can hear the conversation, comment and learn;
  • Be accountable for decisions made and take ownership of missteps;
  • See recent council conversations about agenda structure and matters from the floor.
    
    
• Policy-making and planning: 
  • Council representatives should understand, be forward thinking and involved in long-term planning efforts; 
  • This includes the Comprehensive Plan, zoning decisions, land use policies, and economic initiatives and opportunities, that shape the city’s growth and development.