The Mayoral seat for the City of Black River Falls will not appear on the ballot at the April 3, 2018 election due to a clerical error.  The current Mayor’s term will end on April 17, 2018.  At that time a vacancy will occur because there will be no properly elected Mayor.  Once a vacancy occurs, the Common Council has the option of appointing a Mayor to serve until the special election takes place and a Mayor is properly elected.

Mayor Jay Eddy has stated his intention to run for office but was unaware his term ended in April of 2018.  When the 2018 Type A Notice of Spring Election was published as required, the office of Mayor was not included.  This is an oversight that should have been caught by City Administrator’s office, but unfortunately was not.  We recently confirmed that the current Mayor’s term does in fact expire in April of 2018.  Since the Mayoral seat was not noticed for this election previously, it cannot be on the April 3, 2018 ballot.  The date for a special election is yet to be determined and must be ordered by the Common Council.  A special election cannot be ordered until the vacancy occurs on April 17, 2018.  Just as with any other election, a special election will be necessary regardless of how many candidates submit nomination papers.

Meanwhile, the Council has the option of making a temporary Mayoral appointment until a Special Election can be held.  In accordance with the City’s ordinance for filling vacancies for Alderperson and Mayor, media sources have been notified of the upcoming Mayoral vacancy, and we are accepting letters of interest.  City residency is required to be eligible for this position.  The deadline for submitting a letter of interest is March 15, 2018.