Larson resigns position on Oshkosh Common Council

OSHKOSH, Wis. (WISS) – Oshkosh Common Council Member Kris Larson resigned from the council on Thursday, effective immediately.

Larson explained his resignation in a Facebook post. He said he resigned as soon as he learned that the council would begin discussions this week on the possible purchase of City Center properties in downtown Oshkosh for redevelopment. 

Larson operates a business – Becket’s – there. He resigned to avoid any perceived conflict of interest. 

“I feel that it is important, before any discussion at all happens on this subject, that I am not just recused from specific conversations, but in the interest of making the process as transparent as possible, removed from the body that may be purchasing property where I make my living and more,” Larson wrote in his resignation letter posted on his Facebook page.

Later, Larson posted a memo from City Manager Rebecca Grill to the Common Council members. That memo further explained the city’s interest in discussing the property.

“The City of Oshkosh has a unique opportunity to acquire the property commonly known as the City Center, a site already fostering a variety of successful businesses that contribute to the area’s vitality,” the memo reads. “This opportunity provides the ability to invest in our community’s future and align the area with the Downtown Redevelopment Plan to further enhance its status as a vibrant destination.”

The memo says the Oshkosh Common Council will discuss the “potential redevelopment and/or acquisition” of the property in a closed session on Tuesday, Oct. 14.

Filling Larson’s Seat

Larson has been an active member of the Common Council since elected last year. He has spearheaded conversations on ATV and UTV use on city streets and electric bikes, among other measures.

In the meantime, the city will collect applications from residents interested in filling the vacant position. A link to apply for the vacant seat will be posted on the city’s website this week. Applicants will have 30 days to submit their applications. The Council will hear five-minute presentations from the applicants on November 25, 2025, and will then vote to fill the seat that night. For questions regarding this process, please contact the Oshkosh City Manager’s office at citymgr@oshkoshwi.gov or (920) 236-5002.