Meaux becomes mayor until April

He's no longer just acting the part. The title is now official for Mayor Eric Meaux - at least for the next 2 1/2 months.

The Common Council on Tuesday unanimously appointed Meaux to serve as Wauwatosa's mayor for the remainder of the term vacated by Jill Didier. The office of mayor will be on the April ballot.

With the title comes a salary, City Attorney Alan Kesner said. Meaux will get compensated based on the mayor's $22,500 salary. The council approved a raise to $30,000 but that doesn't go into effect until the start of the next mayor's term.

Meaux, as the Common Council president, became acting mayor Jan. 3. His fellow council members decided to make the title retroactive to that start date.

In the meantime, Meaux's seat representing District 2 on the council will remain vacant. The district has another council representative, Alderwoman Kathleen Causier, residents can call upon. The council president position will not be filled until after the April elections.

If Meaux can't lead a meeting or fulfill a specific duty, Budget and Finance Committee Chairman Michael Walsh is next in line, Kesner said.