Mayor

The Mayor strives to provide Sun Prairie residents and businesses with the high level of city services and the quality infrastructure they have come to expect in a fiscally responsible manner. The Mayor strives to seek a balance between the representation of the citizens of the City of Sun Prairie as divided by Aldermanic districts and as an entire municipality.

The Mayor serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the City of Sun Prairie and provides general supervision to the City Administrator. The mayor is elected by the registered voters of the City and serves a two year term.

The Mayor appoints members and liaisons to various committees, boards and commissions and ensures that the city ordinances and state statutes are observed and enforced.

The Mayor annually presents a balanced budget outlining their mission for the future. The Mayor also serves as a voting chairperson of the Plan Commission and chairs the Community Development Authority.

Paul Esser was first elected as Mayor for two terms in the late 1980’s and was elected again in 2015. He and his wife Carol have lived in Sun Prairie since 1970. They are the parents of four children, all born, raised, and educated in the Sun Prairie schools and grandparents of eight.  

Mayor Esser's focus has been on diversity and inclusion, housing, transportation, and planning.