Jonathan Lampe for Watertown

06/08/2026

Today I am worried that the City of Watertown, WI - Government is about to make an unforced error by terminating its partnership with Thrive Economic Development, our regional partner in sustaining and attracting industrial and large employers, and the group who found more than a million dollars to help with the housing project out by the YMCA.

Earlier this year, Finance met and prepared a written (through confidential) memo for Thrive to evaluate and to serve as the basis of negotiations for a renewed level of service. I don’t know where negotiations broke down (though one Thrive board member said they only received the memo “last week”) but an outright termination of the agreement would suggest that negotiations have broken down.

Years ago the now-defunct “Watertown Economic Development Corporation” (WEDC) proved that a single-city, go-it-alone approach was a relic of yesteryear, and former Mayor David wisely folded most of the WEDC’s industrial recruitment duties into the professional economic development services of ThriveED. (He also served as president for the group for a while.)

Since that time ThriveEd has been rather successful in developing housing in Watertown and attracting employers to the area. They’ve also educated community leaders on what conditions (e.g., TIF) attract businesses and developers to a community, and have helped patch up relationships between the City and business leaders (e.g., after the Allwardt and BFTS cancellations).

The City has also worked with the Dodge County economic development group - most notably on the $100k subsidy that helped build the Habitat for Humanity houses near MATC last year - but they seem to only have a subset of the resources and services that ThriveED currently has. And Dodge County and Jefferson County are once again looking at jointly backing ThriveED as the agency to represent both counties, with HQ in Watertown. In other words, I don’t think the City currently has a viable regional alternative other than ThriveED, and IMO we’ve picked a weird time to annoy them and the Watertown business community that supports ThriveED.

I’m hoping we learn more about the conflict in the coming days and still find a way to continue to work together as partners.

Meeting packet for Finance on June 8:
https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/watertwnwi-pubu/MEET-Packet-b78464ca5df64a439b9df6dd750f7128.pdf

Watertown Daily Times article about potential two-county organization:
https://www.wdtimes.com/news/local/thriveed-eyes-expansion-into-dodge-county/article_f148bc94-099c-4680-bfb1-d18949510f62.html

06/05/2026

Happy to see former Mayor McFarland as next leader of the League of Wisconsin Municipalities!

While she was Mayor, the City of Watertown, WI - Government benefited from McFarland’s state connections while pursuing funds for City infrastructure projects, participating in regional planning and economic development, and generally keeping the city in the minds of state government.

McFarland also implemented many programs that improved coordination among departments, upgraded the citizen experience and reduced taxpayers’ liability - everything she’ll be asked to teach and support as she takes her next role.

These programs broke down department silos, implemented common procedures across the city, revised budget planning and financial controls, rolled out a new website, pioneered video communications, and invested in dedicated HR, economic development and legal support staff. In other words, her approach modernized the way the City operates and IMO headed off more crises and lawsuits than you will ever know.

Wishing our former Mayor the best (and a little unfair attention for the city she lead) as she assumes her new role!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1D4SbWE7z4/?mibextid=wwXIfr

The League of Wisconsin Municipalities has selected Emily McFarland as its next Executive Director, marking a historic milestone as she becomes the sixth executive director in the League’s 128-year history and its first woman to hold the role.

McFarland will succeed retiring Executive Director Jerry Deschane following more than three decades of service to Wisconsin local government. The announcement was made by League Board President Randy Meyer after a nationwide search.

McFarland brings extensive experience in municipal leadership, public policy, and state and federal government relations, having most recently served as Vice President of Development and Administration for a housing development company and previously as Mayor of Watertown.

She is expected to begin her role in early July and will work alongside Deschane during a transition period.
https://www.lwm-info.org/1776/League-Announces-Next-Executive-Director

06/03/2026

The Greater Watertown Community Health Foundation provided an inspirational update last night on how they've leveraged the $400K of federal ARPA funds we provided through the City of Watertown, WI - Government to improve workforce childcare. Working through MATC, 122 early childhood educators have been trained and 150 new slots will soon be available with the opening of Gingerbread. So far only about $235K of the original funds we approved have been spent, further indicating the care GWCHF has taken with its pilot funds. CEO Ben Wehmeier can be seen presenting in our City Council video (https://www.youtube.com/ - around 10m in) and I've provided a key memo and slide below. So happy to see the City's investment in our youngest residents and working families pay off!

05/25/2026

🇺🇸 Please remember there are two separate ceremonies and locations if you elect to commemorate Memorial Day in City of Watertown, WI - Government today.

🇺🇸 Watertown will honor Veterans at two ceremonies this Monday, May 25. 🇺🇸

The annual Memorial Day Ceremony will take place at Veterans Park at 10am.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall Dedication will take place at Marine Corps League - Aero Park at 3pm. Visit Vietnam Memorial Wall - Watertown for more information.

05/22/2026

The potential restart of a large housing development called “Autumn Ridge” in Ixonia is good news the City of Watertown, WI - Government even if it’s down the road.

The development is noticeably near the Watertown Park and Rec Dept bike path our city, generous donors and other communities have been contributing to for years, and demonstrates the critical link between investing in amenities families value and civic expansion.

New residents in Ixonia will also often become Watertown shoppers and visitors (as we saw from phone data collected during Riverfest and by Watertown Tourism) and will help our local merchants and tax base.

In short, I’m hoping the Autumn Ridge changes are approved and lead to new neighbors!

JEFFERSON — Two housing phases left undeveloped in Ixonia may finally be completed.

05/20/2026

Every year or so the City of Watertown, WI - Government gets a chance to reaffirm our interest in an Amtrak expansion to finally include Madison, Watertown and Pewaukee stations in a new “Hiawatha West” line. (Mayor Stocks last did this with a letter back in October.)

Now we’re getting a better idea of the possible costs. The expansion is expected to cost about $250M in capital costs, with the federal government picking up $200M of that and the State of Wisconsin picking up $50M.

In addition, a $2.5M/yr subsidy would be needed from the State to maintain the line. That’s less than half what it takes to maintain the Milwaukee/Chicago line, and would likely jump-start rail commuter-oriented housing, businesses and entertainment around new line.

I’ve been waiting almost 20 years for this line to materialize and am excited to see if we can finally land it, aiming for a starting date in 2030!

Read more about it all in these articles from Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Watertown Daily Times.

https://www.jsonline.com/story/money/real-estate/commercial/2026/04/30/milwaukee-madison-amtrak-line-to-cost-over-200m-if-state-helps-out/89737034007/

https://www.wdtimes.com/news/local/thud-bill-might-threaten-potential-amtrak-station-could-state-budget-help/article_f7869340-062f-48d9-9458-3b539a96df41.html

https://www.wdtimes.com/news/local/amtrak-service-to-watertown-still-in-the-works/article_4c3438fd-5cbb-4a76-a277-b7b01b3d5159.html

05/18/2026

Happy to see City of Watertown, WI - Government Mayor Stocks reach out to another key employer. MetalTek International was an early and consistent supporter of Riverfest after we rebooted it in 2023 and MetalTek understand the value of strong community connections to recruit and maintain the skilled workforce we all value.

The City of Watertown, in collaboration with the Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce, recently visited MetalTek to deepen its understanding of the company’s operations and explore opportunities for continued partnership.

05/18/2026

Just wanted to wish a belated congratulations to Jim Braughler for getting elected to chair the Jefferson County executive committee!

JEFFERSON — During an April 29 Executive Committee meeting, the Committee voted District 5 Supervisor Jim Braughler and District 22 Supervisor Blane Poulson as Chair and Vice Chair, respectively.

05/15/2026

I like seeing that Mayor Stocks is continuing to reach out to key City of Watertown, WI - Government employers. I had a chance to work with a manager at GLORY on festival planning for years and he opened my eyes to a fascinating company that continues to thrive and innovate across the country. Here’s hoping the City and Global can remain partners for years to come!

As part of its ongoing business outreach efforts in partnership with the Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce, the City recently toured Glory Global, a leading provider of cash automation and

05/12/2026

Join active and former police officers, police families and guests from nearby communities at midnight this Wednesday for a quick but moving ceremony.

Please join us on Wednesday, May 13 at 11:55pm in front of City Hall as we honor fallen law enforcement officers. We are proud to share that our own Officer Nora Achilli will perform a moving bagpipe tribute in their memory.