Following the recent resignation of Mayor Alyssa Mathis, Wagner City Council President Brenda Jaton has stepped up to serve as Acting Mayor until the next election in 2026. Jaton was officially sworn in as mayor during the Wagner City Council meeting held Monday, November 4th.

Jaton first learned she would be asked to fill the role when City Administrator Debbie Houseman informed her that Mathis would no longer be able to serve. While she admitted she was initially unsure about taking on the role, Jaton said she felt a strong sense of duty to continue the city’s progress. “It comes with different responsibilities than that of a council member,” she explained. “I am no longer a voting member and instead am in charge of appointments, conducting meetings, and overseeing the operation of the council.”

Ultimately, her decision came from a desire to keep Wagner moving forward. “The mayor plays a key role in moving Wagner’s goals forward,” she said. “Our community is made up of many different stakeholders with unique wants and needs. Bringing together those diverse perspectives is key to ensuring we make policies and projects that will move our community forward. I chose to take this role because I wanted to continue with our trajectory of growth.”

As acting mayor, Jaton sees her role as one that bridges the city’s leadership and its residents. “My role is now more about mediating the relationship between the citizens and our city government,” she said. “I’m here to learn from people what needs to be done and to work with our awesome team at the city to make that happen within the rules and resources we have.”

Among her top priorities are supporting the city’s ongoing projects and community development. She’s particularly passionate about seeing additional power brought to Wagner Lake to support the annual Festival in the Park, creating zoning that supports both agricultural and residential needs, increasing safety through police support, and helping to reinvigorate Main Street.

Jaton also highlighted several projects she’s proud to see continuing, including the Main Street façade improvements through Wagner Area Growth, the pool improvement project, and the recently completed Walnut Avenue project. She noted the city’s recent housing growth as another bright spot, with three new homes added this year and three more planned for next.

Reflecting on Wagner’s strengths, Jaton said the town’s people are what make it special. “Our community is special because the people are special,” she said. “We’re full to the brim with hardworking people who have been stewards of this town for generations. It’s a privilege to be part of a legacy of growth that spans more than a hundred years.”

She also believes Wagner’s biggest strength, its passionate people, can at times be its biggest challenge. “People in Wagner believe deeply in their convictions,” she said. “That means we can overcome great obstacles together, but it can also lead to gridlock. The key is compromise. We may not always get 100% of what we want, but giving and taking a little is what community is about.”

Jaton encourages residents to stay engaged and share their voices, whether by attending or watching council meetings or reaching out directly to their representatives. “It’s important that each of us engages in meaningful conversations so we can understand each other’s perspectives,” she said.

Her leadership style, she said, centers on collaboration and listening. “I prefer to hear out different perspectives while finding solutions that work in everyone’s best interests,” she explained. “I’m fortunate to have a council that already values teamwork, and my goal is to keep that communication strong.”

Jaton describes herself as “a farmer’s daughter with a degree in finance,” whose background in agriculture, business, and community gives her a strong foundation for leadership.

Looking ahead, Jaton hopes her time as acting mayor will be marked by unity. “I hope my time as mayor will serve to bring us together in a world that’s changing quickly,” she said. “We are better together, and I want us to continue supporting one another and taking pride in being part of Wagner.”

She closed with a heartfelt message to her community: “Being together is the greatest gift we have. We may not always agree, but it’s incredibly special to be a part of a community like Wagner. Everyday I feel so lucky to know the people here and to watch each one of us go through our lives. We are better together.”