Committee elects Joe Phillips as council president; appoints representatives, sends tied fire-board pick to full council

The Wauwatosa Committee of the Whole elected Joe Phillips as common council president for the 2026–2028 term and named alderpersons to several city boards on a night of multiple ballots and procedural votes.

Joe Phillips, listed by the clerk as the submitted nominee and later declared the winner, framed his bid as rooted in “the common good,” urging colleagues to deliberate with respect and focus on shared priorities. He told the committee the council faces “big issues” including the library, Schoonmaker Creek, lead service laterals and a revenue picture that will become tighter.

The committee then selected Rob Gustafson as its representative to the Plan Commission for 2026–2028. Gustafson, who identified himself as an alder, said "planning is at its core the work of deciding what kind of city we want to live in" and emphasized accountability and clear standards in how the commission treats applications.

Melissa Dolan was reselected as the alder liaison to the Board of Public Works. Dolan, who said she has served in that liaison role for the past two years, cited the board's work on construction, street repairs and budgeting as reasons she wished to continue representing District 11.

The committee held an extended series of ballots to fill the city's seat on the Milwaukee Metro Fire Rescue Board. After five rounds the contest remained deadlocked at 6–6. The city attorney advised the committee that the municipal code provides no clear tie-breaking procedure for the Committee of the Whole and suggested referring the tie to the full Common Council — where a mayoral tie-breaker could apply under state law — or postponing for further statements. The committee voted to send the tied selection to the full Common Council for resolution.

Because of time the committee also voted to hold the health department report until the next Committee of the Whole meeting.

All successful committee nominations will be forwarded to the full Common Council for confirmation. The Committee of the Whole adjourned after completing its business.