Mayor’s Column January 4, 2025
Rohn Bishop, Mayor of Waupun
Hello Waupun, and Happy New Year!
2024 was another successful year for Waupun! We had our first Ice Fest, debuted the new Sculpture Tour, opened the Food Truck Alley, and we continue to see a thriving downtown, a strong business community, and a growing business park on the southeast corner of our city. We successfully modified our purchase policy to allow the city to buy from local businesses, and we continue to be one of Wisconsin’s safest cities thanks to our great police department. While 2024 was another successful year for our city, I continue to have high expectations and big goals for our little city going into and beyond 2025!
As we begin 2025, I’m excited for what’s to come. Here are some quick hits to what’s up, Waupun!
- We will begin the process of improving the alleyway north of Main Street, between Madison Street and Mill St. By removing a building, burying the overhead utilities, moving a fire hydrant, and making it a one way, we can safely add more parking spaces. We will also be adding some greenery and a pedestrian path along the back of the downtown businesses.
- We need to increase the pay of the city’s mayor. It’s absurd how little we pay the CEO of our city. The only person elected city wide, who by state statute is in charge of the police and fire departments, appoints members of boards, commissions, and committees. The Mayor is responsible for a city budget, handling staffing issues, taking complaints, attending functions, representing Waupun at official events, chairs multiple committees including the City Council, and has the authority to tell people what to do, and can sign or veto legislation. It really is an important position, and we should stop treating it like it’s not. Since 1998 I have advocated for it to be a full-time position and having had the job for three years, I can tell you the way it’s currently structured it’s WAY more than part time. It’s not quite full time, true, but it’s a lot more than part time. Having talked with alderman, there is broad agreement to fix this for the next mayor. It does not have to be full time, but at least half time. Pay the person $25,000 per year with NO benefits. A person shouldn’t get rich off of it, but they shouldn’t have to borrow money either. If we don’t change it, we’re destined to have bad mayors, and we can’t afford that. Also, tie the mayor’s pay with the COLA increases given annually, so we don’t keep falling behind. In case you’re wondering, as Mayor I make $32.88 per day. Per day!
- A big goal of mine is border agreements with the local townships. It’s time to clean up these islands spread throughout the city. The islands are town lots within the city. They don’t pay city taxes but receive many city services. It’s not right and has to end. It also results in the city having to maintain roads we don’t own, like Woodland Drive, Grove St. Doty St. and Young St, just to name a few. I’m done paying for roads we don’t own. The towns refuse to help, and this is on top of the towns not helping pay towards many of the city’s amnesties their residents use, like the ice rink, baseball fields, softball fields, the new community center, the fireworks display, etc. And, they have for years been grossly underpaying for fire and EMT services. They’ve been bucking my attempts to charge more for emergency services. Fine, but then at the very least, let us square off the city borders. It’s the fair, and correct thing to do.
- Shaler Drive!! I’m probably a year too soon, however as revenues from the industrial park TIF district continue to grow we get closer and closer to my goal of connecting Shaler Drive all the way from Main Street to HWY 26 by the truck stop.
A few other projects out there. As you know, National Rivet started a 50/50 fundraiser to keep the Rosie the Riveter sculpture in Waupun. We’re only about $3,000 away from having the funds, so if you want to make a donation, we’d appreciate it.
Also, the ice arena’s new refrigerated floor project will be a go this spring. The city did provide $100,000 towards the project; however, it’s also about $100,000 short of the total amount needed to replace the floor. I mention this because I am looking to sell the naming rights to the building. And even though the building is owned by the city, I’d put the funds towards the new refrigeration system. It’s important to maintain our city’s hockey culture, and figure skating, too. I mean, if the floor melted, my friend and figure skater Morgan, would be very upset with me! We’re so close for both projects Waupun, let’s do it!
Finally, the state legislature plans to address corrections issues more this year and I plan to be in Madison advocating for Waupun Correctional and the good people who work there. I’ll have much more to say about this moving forward, but I guarantee you Madison will know how we feel.
Again, Happy New Year Waupun, and let’s make it another great year for Wisconsin’s greatest little city!
Mayor Rohn
