OSHKOSH, WI—(WISS)— On Tuesday night, the Oshkosh Common Council heard presentations from 13 of the 14 candidates interested in filling the seat left vacant when Kris Larson resigned from the Common Council in October. Following the presentations, the council appointed Jacob Amos, who was sworn in immediately.

During his presentation to the Council, Amos said he wants the residents and future residents of Oshkosh to see the same Oshkosh that he fell in love with.

“And for me, that experience was having safe streets, a safe community, I should say. A community that’s accessible, and a community that’s future-focused,” Amos said.

Jacob Amos makes his presentation to the Oshkosh Common Council. *Photo: Lisa M. Hale/Civic Media*

Amos will serve until April 2026 when he has indicated he will run for a full term.

About Amos

Amos has degrees in Finance, including an MBA from Howard University. He is a loan officer at Community First Credit Union. He is a member of the Oshkosh Long Range Finance Committee. Additionally, he has served as an adjunct board member for the Oshkosh Area United Way.

City Clerk Darla Salinas swears Jacob Amos in to the Oshkosh Common Council to fill the vacancy left when Kris Larson resigned in October. *Photo: Lisa M. Hale/Civic Media*

Dr. Samuel Coleman, the Assistant Superintendent of Instruction with the Oshkosh Area School District, was the only community member to endorse a candidate. He spoke in support of Amos.

“I have found him (Amos) to be a thoughtful listener, a partner in the efforts to build on the progress that this council, our faith community, businesses, organizations, and neighborhood associations are all committed to. And that is threading the needle between preserving the traditions and the strengths that members of this community have loved and appreciated for so many decades, without having that love eclipsed by the city’s future,” Coleman said.

Applicants for Common Council

In addition to Amos, 12 other candidates made presentations to the Common Council.

Oshkosh Mayor Matt Mugerauer commented on the number and quality of the candidates.

“First, thank you to the applicants. Having 14 interested people who wanna put service to their community above themselves is an awesome thing,” Mugerauer said. “So a lot of appreciation for that and for putting yourself out there.”

Council Member Karl Buelow said he is hopeful for the future of Oshkosh.

“The council should be in good, good shape for the future. With this many people coming forward and being deeply invested in running and serving, it gives me a lot of hope that we’re never gonna run out of great candidates to want to serve up here,” Buelow enthused.

The other candidates who presented to the council and applied for the position are as follows:

Alec Lefeber
Andrew Davenport
Brittany Gasper
Dan Lenz
Elijah Plonsky
Eric Gumz
Jacob Amos
Jermaine Edmonds
Larry Lautenschlager
Logan Jungbacker
Meredith Scheuermann
Richard Kiraly
Shawn Rickert
Tim Neubauer

Brittany Gasper was the only candidate who did not appear before the council on Tuesday night.

A link to all of the candidates applications and answers are available here: https://www.oshkoshwi.gov/CityCouncil/council_vacancy.aspx

In Other Common Council Action

The Common Council took on several other actions during its meeting on Tuesday night.

Pay increase for city staff

It voted to approve a 4.25% across-the-board pay increase for all non-represented staff. According to a memo sent to the Common Council by Assistant City Manager and Director of Administration Services John Fitzpatrick, the estimated cost of this projected increase is around $1,314,000.

I-41 Pedestrian Bridge Fund

The Common Council voted to appropriate the $11.1 million for the I-41 Pedestrian Bridge project.

Oshkosh’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) already included $2 million as the match requirement needed for the city to make use of a Safe Streets For All (SS$A) grant from the federal government.

A memo to the Common Council from City Finance Director Julie Calmes said the city must first cash-flow the entire project cost before being reimbursed for the federal share.

In her memo, Calmes said, the amended budget will not increase the City’s long-term financial obligation. “It simply provides the necessary authority to expend grantable funds and receive federal reimbursement,” the memo said.

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