Rhett Engelking- District 2 Alderman West Bend

03/21/2026

Next Tuesday is the first opportunity to vote in April’s election

In-Person Absentee Voting for City of West Bend residents begins on Tuesday, March 24, at City Hall. Voting is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Thursday, April 2, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, April 3.

03/04/2026

Just taking the opportunity to be proud of my wife’s giving spirit and grateful to have her in my life.

Meet Sophie Janto, one of our Power of One nominees for Champions of Change!

Sophie has been a dedicated volunteer with FRIENDS, Inc. since 2024, always stepping up in meaningful and impactful ways. She began as an active childcare volunteer, providing support to children that allows their parents to fully engage in services and programming. In the summer of 2025, Sophie expanded her role by taking on consistent hotline shifts, a critical contribution that has allowed staff more time to focus on administrative and client-support tasks while ensuring survivors continue to have timely access to support. In addition to her ongoing commitments, Sophie provides event support, proving she is reliable, prepared, and willing to help wherever needed. Her flexibility, commitment, and genuine care for survivors make her an invaluable part of our volunteer team.

As the volunteer coordinator at FRIENDS, Inc., I have had the privilege of working closely with Sophie and seeing firsthand the heart she brings to everything she does. Recently, Sophie reached out simply because she wanted to be more active again, a moment that truly speaks to her character and commitment to our mission. She is not someone who waits to be asked; she looks for ways to help, even offering to take on additional organizing and office tasks to ease the workload for staff. Knowing that Sophie is willing to step in wherever needed brings a deep sense of support and reassurance to our team. Her generosity, initiative, and genuine care for both survivors and staff make her an inspiration.

"It continues to feel important to me to give back to those who are facing difficult times in our community. I feel an obligation to help others when I am in a position to do so; mentally, physically, emotionally, and/or financially," shared Sophie. "I am aware that no one is immune to the potential for needing community services in their lifetime. I especially feel dedicated to the work that FRIENDS, Inc. does in an area that is especially difficult to navigate, and that is often misunderstood."

Thank you, Sophie! We are grateful for your care for our community.

02/17/2026

Limited cleanup of leftover leaves. Please put those thawed leaves on the road that you wish to have picked up.

Beginning Tuesday, February 17, 2026, the City of West Bend Department of Public Works will conduct an additional winter leaf collection for debris that remains curbside.

Residents must place all leaves in the street or gutter area for crews to collect them. Crews will not collect leaves that remain on the grass terrace area. To allow crews to complete a full sweep of the city and avoid conflicts with potential snow accumulation, all winter leaves must be moved into the street no later than Sunday, February 22, 2026.

Leaf collection is not typically performed in February. However, the combination of a late fall and an early-season winter storm caused crews to transition equipment from leaf operations to snow response earlier than anticipated. With recent warming and snow melt, DPW is utilizing this limited opportunity to collect remaining debris.

While the forecasted warm temperatures provide a brief opportunity for this collection, residents should be aware that any leaves placed in the street after the deadline are at risk. If snowfall requiring plowing occurs before collection, leaves may be pushed back onto the terrace. Crews will work to collect as much of the remaining debris as possible to minimize extra effort for residents.

A full citywide sweep will begin on Monday, February 23. Once crews complete a street, they will not be back through until spring. An additional citywide clean-up is scheduled for spring, with details to be announced in late March.

Questions concerning the above information may be directed to the Public Works Department at 262-335-5079.

02/17/2026

Additional coverage of the Civics Games at the library. I look forward to keeping the trophy in District 2 next year as well.

West Bend Alderman Rhett Engleking and Robert Parker win the inaugural Cabin Fever Civics Games hosted by the League of Women Voters.

02/12/2026

A reason to be proud. He was flying at over 38 mph. 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸

Jordan Stolz, 21, from Kewaskum breaks Olympic record in 1,000m speedskating, securing gold medal at Milan-Cortina Games with dominant performance. Details at the link in comments.

02/02/2026

What a great and timely event with an encouraging turnout!

Thank you to the West Bend Library and the League of Women Voters Ozaukee and Washington Counties

I was honored to join my fellow District 2 teammate Robert Parker in victory 🥇 at the inaugural Civics Games.

Our team (Deer District 2) faced some tough competition, including librarians and some of our nation’s founders (by way of Slinger HS).

For now the title remains in District 2. I hope to return next year to defend it.

02/01/2026

“Oh, you know we've got to find a way
To bring some understanding here today

Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Come on talk to me
So you can see
What's going on (What's going on)”

Provided to YouTube by Universal Music GroupWhat's Going On · Marvin GayeThe Best Of Marvin Gaye℗ 1971 Motown Records, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.Rele...

01/24/2026

ALERT: A water main burst at the corner of 12th Avenue and Poplar Street. In the process of responding to the water issue, a gas line was inadvertently severed. Residents in the radius surrounding that intersection can expect disruptions in their water and gas for a few hours as the situation is safely repaired. Residences identified as within a concerning radius are being notified by personnel to evacuate temporarily while the West Bend Fire Department monitors for leaks or any related concerns. Please steer clear of Poplar and 12th to allow for no disruptions in this service. If you detect gas leaks, leave immediately – do not turn on light switches or use phone. Next,
contact WE Energies at 1-800-450-7280 from another location.

As always, you can also contact West Bend Emergency Services at 9-1-1.

Your patience with this process in cold weather is much appreciated.

Send a message to learn more

12/04/2025

Unfortunately there was a hiccup in the City’s leaf collection.

Well, Mother Nature won this one.

The Public Works team had planned an extended curbside leaf collection this week, but the heavy snowfall has made it impossible. A special thanks to these same DPW crews who put in overtime – on a holiday weekend no less – to clear streets of snow and ice!

Rest assured your leaves will be collected – either this winter if the weather warms, or in the spring. Thank you for your understanding! Read more at westbendwi.gov/news_detail_T41_R611.php

11/22/2025

Did you forget to pile your leaves on the road?

Good news, there’s a second chance to have them collected.

Due to this year’s weather conditions and the continued heavy fall of leaves, the City of West Bend Department of Public Works will conduct one final sweep through the city to collect leaves that have dropped later than usual.

Residents are asked to place all leaves curbside no later than November 30. Once crews begin the final pass through the city, they will not return for additional collection this season.
Street sweeping will begin after the final collection and continue while warm weather allows. Street sweepers cannot pick up large piles of leaves, so leaves intended for collection must be placed properly at the curb by the November 30 deadline.

11/16/2025

Congrats to Mike, a dedicated City employee and head of our tourism committee. It is good that so many are taking notice of his contributions to the City of West Bend

11/11/2025

To all who served and all who are currently serving, a Happy Veterans Day!

While so many of us have a day of rest and commemoration, at least one active military person will be on duty. One of the more compelling experiences I had as a one time resident of Washington DC was to witness the laying of a wreath and the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Such an important living reminder of the sacrifices of our fellow citizens.

If you have a moment around 11:00, tune in to appreciate this solemn affirmation of the dignity of our country’s greatest servants.

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