Marshfield council appoints Krista James as temporary municipal court judge

City Administrator Steve Barr told the council the municipal court vacancy process was a joint effort with the villages of Spencer and Stratford. A five‑member committee interviewed three applicants — Krista James, Alana Fettig Goodwin, and Danielle Bellahan — and recommended Krista James for a temporary appointment to the municipal court judge position.

"I would recommend approval of Krista James for temporary appointment to the position of municipal court judge," Barr said. The committee’s recommendation was moved and seconded on the floor; the council voted to approve the temporary appointment. Barr said the villages will be asked to ratify the appointment and noted the temporary appointment is intended to bridge the vacancy until the special election and the subsequent term election (the record indicates the next election for a full term beginning April 1, 2027).

Next steps: the appointment will be presented to the participating villages for ratification and an election process will follow as required by the joint court agreement.