Oconomowoc voters strongly favor Styza for Waukesha County Board. Not so in 2 other races.

In a local election that included only three contested races among the 25 supervisor seats on the Waukesha County Board, voters on April 2 overwhelmingly favored one candidate, but only narrowly favored the other two winners, including one incumbent.

Steve Styza cruised to an election win by nearly a two-to-one margin, 1,786 to 983 votes, besting Burdus H. Galbraith for the District 1 seat to be vacated by Tyler Foti, who did not seek reelection.

By contrast, challenger Wayne Euclide won by a mere 0.7% margin, 1,562 to 1,540 votes, over incumbent Matthew Weil in District 2. Likewise, incumbent Larry Nelson won with a still-slim 1.6% margin, 1,338 to 1,294, over challenger Thomas Harland in District 18.

Those close margins in districts 2 and 18 raised the possibility of the candidates asking for a recount. Candidates were unavailable late Tuesday to discuss that prospect.

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The winners will take their place on a governing body that is faced with difficult budget decisions in the years ahead as it weighs how to handle certain costs previously covered by funding from American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, a pandemic-related mechanism that helped local governments deal with the upheaval caused by COVID-19.

In District 1, which covers the city of Oconomowoc, Galbraith and Styza both supported the county's decision to use ARPA funds for capital projects and pay raises for essential staff, but placed more of an emphasis on community concerns — Galbraith for growth management and Styza for housing initiatives meant to address a tight housing market.

District 2, which includes the town of Oconomowoc, Oconomowoc Lake, Summit and the village of Lac La Belle, Weil and challenger Euclide differed on their take in the county's use of ARPA funds. Euclide pointedly suggested that supervisors will have to make "tough decisions" to deal with a projected 2028 budget deficit based on current spending. Weil argued the county make wise, strategic choices in the use of ARPA funds.

In District 18, made up of the southcentral and southwest parts of the city of Waukesha, Nelson and Harland also acknowledged the difficult choices ahead for future county budgets. Harland, however, stressed the need for the county to take a more business-like approach to cost management. Nelson said the county had already taken steps to address revenue to replace ARPA funds.

All vote totals are unofficial until canvassing boards confirm them.

Contact reporter Jim Riccioli atjames.riccioli@jrn.com.