Roxanne Reynolds-Lair (Incumbent)
Name on ballot: Roxanne Reynolds-Lair
How long have you lived in Dodgeville and what do you like about it?
Dodgeville is home to me. I was born here in the local hospital near my grandparent’s apple orchard. We lived on a farm near Hollandale and moved to Dodgeville when I was in eighth grade. I attended Dodgeville High school. In my junior and senior year, I had my own dance studio downtown and was named Dodgeville’s youngest business woman. After a career in Los Angeles as Chief Information Officer of the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM, I moved back home to Dodgeville. My husband and I enjoy the beauty of the Driftless Area, being close to family and friends, living within walking distance of downtown Dodgeville, and spending time relaxing at Governor Dodge State Park.
I have now served on the Dodgeville City Council for six years. My duties have included serving on the Administration & Personnel Committee, Historic Preservation Commission, Board of Review, Dodgeville Public Library Board of Trustees, Chamber of Commerce Board, Finance Committee and Library Building Committee.
My first job was as recreation director at Centennial Park for the summer when I was 15. Then I had my own dance studio. I have always been in management, working with a team to accomplish a goal (my siblings would say I started honing my management skills on them). I spent the majority of my career at FIDM, a specialized college focused on preparing students for careers in Fashion Merchandising, Fashion Design, Interior Design, Graphic Design and more. I was asked to create a team to manage all the technology for the college. I started with one staff person and built the team into a 78-person department providing all the computer hardware, software development, project management and more.
What is your current occupation?
My job as Chief Information Officer/CIO was to hire and build a great technology team to implement the vision of the FIDM founder; create a strategic plan; build relationships with technology providers; manage a multi-million dollar budget; provide technology hardware, software, service and training to all the departments of the college; and participate as a member of the building team for the construction of our four campus locations.
Even though our job was about technology, our focus was on the people using the technology and providing them with technology solutions that made their FIDM life easier and more productive. Our “customers” included faculty, business departments and 4000-7500 students across four campuses. Our team won three Innovation Awards for developing business/technology that was new and forward thinking. I was asked to speak at several technology conferences on the solutions we created with and for the people using the technology solutions both here in the States and internationally.
There weren’t many women CIOs during my tenure. I was privileged to be featured in two magazines and to serve on several panels of “Women in Technology” helping future women choose this career path.
Past and present government service
In the fall of 2019, I was asked to step in to complete the remaining term of a council member representing my district. I accepted the position to see how a local city government was run. I learned that many of my skills bridged the gap between private enterprise and public municipal government. I now utilize those skills to serve Dodgeville.
What are needs for the city and how are you addressing them?
I listen to Dodgeville residents and property owners. Their biggest concerns are keeping property taxes down, fixing the streets and having an efficient city government. In order to keep property taxes within reason, we need to bring more business into Dodgeville. It is critical to keep the buildings in our downtown historic district occupied with businesses that will serve the residents of Dodgeville and bring people to our city. We need to continue to grow the north end with businesses and more housing. We now have a commitment to have a restaurant and hotel at the old truck stop location. That has been a long-time request of Dodgeville residents. Dodgeville now has a population over 5000. Our municipal infrastructure needs to be modified. It is too much work for a parttime Mayor. We had to increase the number of hours allocated to the mayor in 2023. We researched different models of municipalities of our size and have concluded the hiring a city administrator is the best option for a city of our size. That person will manage day-to-day city operations and provide consistency across elections. We are in the process of working to hire a city administrator in the next few months. We also need to hire a city clerk. The job description of the clerk depends partially on the job description of the new city administrator. All of this is in the works with the Administration & Personnel Committee, taking point with the help of a consultant specializing in city government positions. The members of the full council and the mayor will be informed and consulted as part of the process before a final vote by Council.
What do you see as needs in your ward?
We need to continue to improve streets in District 1. In my tenure representing this district, we have done North Street and Washington. The city is currently having an assessment done on the condition of city streets in Dodgeville and prioritizing based on condition, which streets should be done next.
Why should people vote for you?
As a property owner and city resident, I will use my skills to take our city forward with a goal for managing costs while improving our city with a modified government structure that suits our size. I will support efforts to bring in and retain more businesses to help offset the tax burden on city homeowners. Dodgeville is my home and worth my efforts to keep it safe, healthy and thriving into the future.
Austin Nolden (challenger)
Name on ballot: Austin Nolden
How long have you lived in Dodgeville and what attracted you to here?
I have lived in Dodgeville since January 2020. My wife and I were drawn to the area because it was centrally located between our workplaces, hers in Madison and mine in Platteville, which made it an ideal choice for commuting. Over time, Dodgeville has also become the place we chose to put down roots and raise our family.
What experience do you have with city government?
While I have not previously held a position in city government, I work closely with many cities through my professional role. This has given me insight into how local governments operate, collaborate, and make decisions, even though I have not yet served in an official capacity.
Tell us about yourself
I grew up in Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin, and earned my degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Since the birth of our two children, I’ve made a conscious effort to become more involved in our community.
Currently, I serve as Treasurer for the Dodgeville Elementary School Parent Teacher Circle. I also coach my daughter Kennedy’s soccer team and assist with my other daughter Olivia’s team when needed. One tradition I especially enjoy is volunteering as Santa Claus for local schools and nursing homes during the holidays.
Professionally, I work for Ramaker & Associates as an Aquatics Project Manager designing swimming pools and waterparks. My team and I design and deliver aquatic projects across Wisconsin and throughout the United States, work I’m very proud of.
What made you decide to run for a position on the city council?
I’ve wanted to be more directly involved in decisions that impact our community for some time. This felt like the right moment to step up and contribute, especially while my children are still young and my schedule allows me to dedicate the time and energy the role deserves.
Name three areas needing attention in the community and how you would support addressing the needs.
Schools: Strong schools are foundational to a strong community. Supporting our schools benefits everyone, not just families with children, but because they directly affect property values, community pride, and long-term growth. I believe it’s essential to support the work our schools are doing and to invest in the next generation however we can.
Roads: Infrastructure is a consistent challenge for many communities. While I don’t have all the answers today, I believe this is an area where collaboration, planning, and thoughtful prioritization by the council can lead to practical and responsible solutions.
City Budget: I am very interested in ensuring that tax dollars are used as effectively as possible. That means carefully evaluating how revenue is turned into services that benefit the community as a whole and making thoughtful, transparent decisions about spending ..
What would you like to see improved in your ward?
Overall, I believe my ward is doing quite well compared to some older areas of Dodgeville. At this time, I don’t have a specific improvement to point to, but I remain open to listening to residents and addressing concerns as they arise.
Why should people vote for you?
I’ll be honest about who I am. I can be outspoken, energetic, and direct, and that may not fit the traditional image of a city alderperson. But what I bring is genuine care for this community.
My wife and I chose Dodgeville as the place to raise our family, and we’ve fully embraced making it our home. I’m proud to live here, and I want to do my part to leave Dodgeville better than I found it. I’ll bring honesty, commitment, and passion to the role, and I’ll always keep the best interests of the community at heart.