Mayor's State of the City Message

State of the City (Delivered April 20, 2021)

Mayoral Duties

• Appoint citizens and aldermen to city boards, commissions and committees
• Assure that city ordinances and State laws are observed and enforced and that all city officers and employees perform their duties
• Chair meetings of the Common Council, with ability to break a tie vote and veto
• Chair meetings of the Plan Commission
• Coordinate future municipal development and land use planning
• Develop the city’s long-range strategic plans
• Execute municipal obligations, contracts and conveyances
• Exercise discretion and judgment
• Exercise emergency powers as are necessary and expedience for the health, safety, welfare and good order of the city
• Facilitate work of the Common Council
• Head of the police and fire departments
• May sit as ex officio member on boards, commissions and committees
• Represent the city as chief advocate at municipal, county, state and federal levels
• Represent the city at important ceremonial functions
• Serve as an ombudsman for the citizenry and provide the primary day-to-day access for the citizens who want to contact their government
• Serve as the Chief Executive Officer for the city
• Serve as the chief spokesperson for the city
• Serve on the Water Utility Commission
• Supervise and direct the day-to-day operations of the city

Accolades for Waukesha

Waukesha is a progressive leader in providing a high quality of life.

• 2020 - Elected Official Award, Mayor Shawn Reilly, by the Wisconsin Parks and Recreation Association
• 2020 - Top Work Places Award from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
• 2020 - 41st Year as a Tree City USA
• 2020 - Gold Leaf Award for Outstanding Arbor Day Program by International Society of Arboriculture
• 2020 - Park Design Award- Frame Park by the Wisconsin Park and Recreation Association
• 2020 Program Excellence Award - Adult/Older Adult Programming, Progressive Tennis by the Wisconsin Park and Recreation Association.
• 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 - Certificate of Achievement for Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association.
• 2019 Partner of the Year, Mayor Shawn Reilly, City of Waukesha Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department
• 2019 - Outstanding Program Award for Leading Waukesha Program by the Wisconsin City/County Management Association
• 2019 - National Demonstration Site, Frame Park Playground by PlayCore
• 2019 - Programming Excellence Award, Older Adult Programming by the Wisconsin Park and Recreation Association
• 2019 - Programming Excellence Award, Special Events by the Wisconsin Park and Recreation Association
• 2019 - Gold Level Learn to Swim Provider by the American Red Cross
• 2018 - Intergovernmental Cooperation Award, Water Project by the Wisconsin Policy Forum
• 2018 - The National Council for Home Safety and Security ranked Waukesha as 26th safest City in Wisconsin.
• 2017 - 24/7 Wall Street ranked the City of Waukesha as the most livable City in Wisconsin and #36 on the list of America's 50 best cities to live in.
• 2017 - WalletHub ranked Waukesha as the 10th Best Place to Raise a Family in Wisconsin.
• 2012 - Money Magazine ranked Waukesha as one of the "100 Best Places to Live" in the United States.
• 2011 - the National Recreation and Park Association granted us their "Gold Medal Award" and the Wisconsin Library Association designated our Library the "Wisconsin Library of the Year."
• 2012 and 2011 - America's Promise Alliance ranked Waukesha one of the "100 Best Communities for Young People."