WEST BEND - The West Bend Common Council had a new member at its meeting Monday - Neil Narveson, a public accountant who wants to lend the city a hand with his fiscal experience.

Narveson already was involved in the community as president of the West Bend Noon Rotary and a citizen representative on the Airport Commission. Narveson said his interactions with people lately have pointed to an aspect of the city they particularly enjoy: its quality of life.

"Everybody who lives here says they live here for the quality of life. We’ve got a lot of good things going on here with activities to keep kids out of trouble," Narveson said. "We’re a little bit bigger of a town, but it’s still that small town feel, and we’re close enough to Madison, Milwaukee and Green Bay that you can head there to do some of the other things, like go to the Brewers game."

The Common Council appointed accountant Narveson to the vacant District 8 sport on the council left by former alderman Scott Frederick, who vacated the seat when he moved from the city in May. Also interviewed were Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau director Roger Kist and student David Borgwordt.

The other aspect of West Bend life he hears about and hopes he can help out with is the everyday concerns about the economy, the price of everything from groceries to gasoline and taxes.

Narveson runs an accounting business as a certified public accountant, has a bachelor’s of business administration from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and is a past president of the West Bend Area Chamber of Commerce.

Narveson first began pursuing a career in accounting after enjoying a high school bookkeeping class. He scored well on a professional aptitude test and deciding to pursue the profession in college.

"As far as fiscally, that’s where it really started, in high school," Narveson said. "I’ve been a CPA now for many years. That was my major in college and I’ve been in public accounting my whole life," Narveson said.

Narveson said he enjoys working with clients and identifying where they can streamline their businesses.

Narveson said his main accounting office is in Mayville, but he spends a lot of time during the week working in West Bend meeting clients at their offices, his or their homes or at restaurants.

"In the longterm, eventually I’d like to open an office here in West Bend," he said.

Narveson said he’s been living in West Bend for about 13 years, moving here with his wife after they met in college.

In his free time, Narveson said he plays in a men’s softball league and is a big baseball nut. Lately, he said his recreation and community involvement is veering toward supporting his children’s activities, such as the early levels of Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.

"I’m a big baseball nut. Unfortunately, the last week has been a little rough on me," Narveson said. "I’m a sports fan in general - love the Packers, love the Badgers."

"I’m coaching one of my daughters soccer teams," he said. "Getting involved in the kids activities seems to be where I’m headed."

The appeal of becoming an alderman, aside from the fiscal experience he could bring with him due to his business, was giving back to the community.

"The initial draw, besides the financial side, is this is home for myself and my kids," Narveson said. "I’m a firm believer of giving back to the community that has supported you and helped your family. If everybody helped the community in which they lived, the world would be much, much better."

Narveson said he is still learning the operations of city government.

"(Monday) was my first meeting, so I’m still kind of getting my bearings," Narveson said. "I’m enjoying it; I’m learning a lot of things."