MANITOWOC COUNTY – Nicholas Muench is facing a complaint that alleges he does not live in the same district he represents as an elected official on the Manitowoc County Board of Supervisors.
Muench represents the 18th District in Manitowoc County, an area that includes the towns of Cato and Rockland, and the village of Whitelaw. He is listed on the Manitowoc County website, manitowoccountywi.gov, as living on County Trunk Highway S in Cato.
He did not seek reelection in the April 7 election, but there were no registered candidates, either. The winner of that race has not yet been confirmed.
The complaint against Muench was submitted by Patricia Kohlman, a former county board supervisor for District 18 and now a Manitowoc resident.
Residency rules for county supervisors and what the complaint claims
The Manitowoc County Code dictates that each supervisor must live in the district they represent and vacate their seat if they move out of that district, even if they still reside in Manitowoc County.
The complaint alleges that Muench has listed his parents’ address as proof that he resides within the district he represents, but he actually lives in the city of Manitowoc.
“Nicholas Muench either gave the wrong address or failed to disclose his present address,” Kohlman alleges in the complaint. “He continues to collect payment as a county board supervisor but does not reside in District 18. The address he submitted is a mailing address and not his residence.”
Ethics Board meeting April 8 will review the complaint
The county’s Ethics Board was set to meet at 4 p.m. April 8 in the county Administrative Building on South Ninth Street in Manitowoc. At that meeting, the board is expected to discuss the complaint and determine if it rises to the specifications of constituting improper conduct under the Manitowoc County Ethics Code.
Muench not immediately available for comment
The Herald Times Reporter did reach out to Muench for comment, but he was not immediately available.
Alisa M. Schafer is a reporter for the Herald Times Reporter in Manitowoc County, part of the USA TODAY Network-Wisconsin. She can be reached by email at aschafer@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Ethics complaint challenges residency of Manitowoc County supervisor
Reporting by Alisa M. Schafer, Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter / Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter
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