The year 2023 marks the 100th anniversary of the City of Janesville adopting the Council-Manager Form of Government. Born out of the Progressive Movement, reformers developed this form of local government in the early 20th century to help rid municipalities of the unethical political machines running most large American cities at the time. Under the reformed structure, the City's elected leaders appoint and oversee a politically impartial manager who performs the municipality's executive functions. The concept combines the best of strong elected leadership for policy development and representation with strong managerial and administrative skills to supervise the delivery of public services.

The citizens of Janesville chose the Council-Manager Form through an election in April 1923. A novel idea the Wisconsin Legislature had just statutorily approved the form of local government that same year. The task fell to Janesville's City Council, comprised of six men and one woman, to select the community's first City Manager. In its infancy, the new government saw early efforts by opponents attempting to install a politically allied appointee to the new position. However, the honest reformers prevailed, and on August 14, 1923, the City Council selected Henry Traxler as Janesville's first City Manager. 

Celebrating the 100 Years of Progress

One hundred years on, the City of Janesville is Wisconsin's oldest continuous Council-Manager Form of Government. Janesville has had only ten City Managers, providing the stable leadership and professional management needed for a century of progress.

The early decades featured newly mechanized public safety departments, ambitious street improvements, and upgraded water and wastewater systems. Beginning with the Traxler Administration, the City prioritized purchasing and developing Janesville's park and greenbelt system. Park acquisitions, including Riverside, Palmer, Monterey, Jeffris, Goose Island (now Traxler), and Lions Beach, are why Janesville stands known throughout the state as Wisconsin's Park Place.

As the nuances of running a modern community become more complex, Janesville's experienced City Managers have remained prepared to meet this challenge. In the post-war era, professional administration saw the City expand public works services, a reason why today the community has the first nationally accredited Department of Public Works in the state. Further, organized development and strategic planning have guided Janesville through shifting economic landscapes, ushering in continued community growth. 

The Council-Manager Form of Government remains a supporting tenet of Janesville's high-performing and responsive local government. The community has now recently welcomed Kevin Lahner as its eleventh City Manager. As the City reflects on this milestone and its organizational successes, it stands ready to play a critical role in Janesville's next century of growth.

Commemorating the Centennial 

In honor of this milestone, the City will celebrate the anniversary throughout the year. These festivities include special activities culminating in formally recognizing the centennial later this Fall. 

The City encourages the public to join in the celebration through activities like monthly City Manager Trivia. At every month's first City Council meeting, City Manager Lahner will share a new historical trivia question about Janesville's Council-Manager Government. The public can submit answers to the query to cojmedia@ci.janesville.wi.us or the City's social media pages. The City will enter all correct submissions into a monthly prize drawing. Winners will receive a package of commemorative memorabilia. 

The public can also help add to the Centennial page by submitting additional historical information about the Council-Manager Form of the Government in Janesville. Citizens can make those contributions in the box below.