The city's governing body, the Common Council, is made up of 16 elected officials representing eight geographic districts, or two members for each district. They each earn $5,400 for service on the council.
The mayor also serves on the council as an at-large member elected by voters across the entire city.
Council members serve four-year terms, however, the current body was elected in April 2024 for shortened two-year terms as the city transitions to a new 12-member structure for its Common Council, as approved in a voter referendum.
Starting in April 2026, voters will elect one candidate in each of 12 distinct geographic districts, rather than two from eight districts. Half of those elected officials (in the even-numbered districts) will serve four-year terms. The other half (in the odd-numbered districts) will serve shortened two-year terms, and their seats will be up for election again in 2028, establishing the council's new staggered four-year terms.
After that, half of the council's seats will be up for election every two years. Elected members will earn $7,200. Once members serve two consecutive four-year terms, they will not be allowed to run for re-election, based on the city's term limits.
Wauwatosa Common Council