A Brookfield alderman is one of fourteen elected officials who serve on the city’s Common Council, with two aldermen representing each of Brookfield, Wisconsin’s seven aldermanic districts.1City of Brookfield, Wisconsin. Elected Officials Aldermen set local policy, pass ordinances, approve the annual budget, and oversee city services. The mayor presides over council meetings but votes only to break a tie.2Wisconsin State Legislature. Wisconsin Code 62.11 – Common Council
What a Brookfield Alderman Does
Wisconsin law hands the common council broad authority over city property, finances, roads, and public services, and allows the council to act through ordinances, licensing, taxation, borrowing, and fines.2Wisconsin State Legislature. Wisconsin Code 62.11 – Common Council In Brookfield, that reaches everyday matters like road construction contracts and business license approvals.
The budget is where the role carries the most weight. The mayor sends a recommended budget to the Finance Committee, usually in October. That committee passes its recommendation to the full council, which holds a public hearing — typically the third Tuesday of November — before voting. The property tax levy covers the difference between city spending and revenue from state aid and other non-property-tax sources.3City of Brookfield, Wisconsin. Budget Process
Any vote that spends money, levies taxes, or creates a financial obligation against the city is recorded by individual ayes and nays. Confirming appointments requires a majority of all fourteen members.2Wisconsin State Legislature. Wisconsin Code 62.11 – Common Council Most detailed work happens first in standing committees, whose chairs and members the council president appoints no later than the second meeting of each new term.4City of Brookfield. Brookfield Code of Ordinances Chapter 2.08 – Boards, Commissions and Committees
Districts, Terms, and the Council President
Each of the seven districts elects two aldermen. Terms are staggered so not every seat is on the ballot in the same cycle, and newly elected aldermen take office on the third Tuesday in April of even-numbered years.1City of Brookfield, Wisconsin. Elected Officials
The council elects a president from among its own members. The president appoints every standing committee chair, serves as an alternate on each committee when a quorum is at risk, and steps in to preside over a Committee of the Whole if an alderman objects to the mayor chairing it. The president also acts as mayor if the mayor is temporarily unable to serve.4City of Brookfield. Brookfield Code of Ordinances Chapter 2.08 – Boards, Commissions and Committees
How to Run for Alderman
Who Is Eligible
To run, you must be a U.S. citizen, a Wisconsin resident, a qualified elector of the city, and an actual resident of the aldermanic district you want to represent at the time of the election.5Wisconsin State Legislature. Wisconsin Code 62.09 – Officers You have to physically live in the district, not just own property there. Wisconsin’s general voter qualification requires 28 consecutive days of residency in the election district before the election.6Wisconsin State Legislature. Wisconsin Code 6.02 – Qualifications, General
Nomination Papers and Deadlines
Candidates can start circulating nomination papers on December 1 of an odd-numbered year for the following spring election. Each paper needs between 20 and 40 valid signatures from electors in the candidate’s district, and the city’s handbook advises collecting more than the minimum because some signatures may be disqualified.7City of Brookfield, Wisconsin. Candidates Handbook Completed papers must be filed with the city clerk by 5:00 p.m. on the first Tuesday in January.8City of Brookfield, Wisconsin. Candidates for Elected Office
If more than two candidates file for the same seat, a primary narrows the field before the April general election. Winners are sworn in on the third Tuesday of that month.1City of Brookfield, Wisconsin. Elected Officials
When a Seat Opens Mid-Term
If an alderman resigns, moves out of the district, or otherwise leaves early, the remaining council members fill the seat by majority vote. Wisconsin law gives three options: appoint someone to finish the unexpired term, call a special election, or leave the seat vacant until the next regular election.9Wisconsin State Legislature. Wisconsin Code 17.23 – Vacancies in City Offices; How Filled Brookfield has used the appointment route. When a District 1 seat opened, the city clerk accepted letters of interest and resumes from district residents who met the same eligibility rules as any candidate.10City of Brookfield, Wisconsin. District 1 Alderman Vacancy – Interested Candidates Being Sought
Conflict-of-Interest Rules
Brookfield’s Code of Ethics prohibits any alderman from taking official action on a matter where the alderman, an immediate family member, or an affiliated organization has a substantial financial interest. “Substantial financial interest” covers anything that yields a monetary or material benefit, directly or indirectly, and the rule also bars using the office to benefit family members or associated organizations.11City of Brookfield. Code of Ethics
An alderman is “associated” with an organization if they or an immediate family member serves as a director, officer, or trustee, or if they control at least 10 percent of the outstanding equity.11City of Brookfield. Code of Ethics An alderman with a significant stake in a local business, for example, should step aside from any vote that could benefit that business. The city’s standards track Wisconsin Statute § 19.42, which defines these relationships for local public officials statewide.
Contacting Your Alderman and Attending Meetings
Common Council meetings are held at Brookfield City Hall and must be open to the public under Wisconsin’s open meetings law, which requires accessible locations, advance notice of time, date, place, and subject matter, and allows for a public comment period.12Wisconsin State Legislature. Wisconsin Code 19.81 – Declaration of Policy If you can’t attend in person, the city publishes agendas, minutes, and supporting documents through its online Agenda Center, where you can see what was discussed and how each alderman voted.13City of Brookfield. Agenda Center
Email addresses and phone numbers for each alderman are listed on the city’s Elected Officials page, along with district assignments so you can identify the two aldermen representing your part of Brookfield.1City of Brookfield, Wisconsin. Elected Officials