State Bill Limits Milwaukee County Board Authority And Elected Terms

Governor Walker limits the Milwaukee County Board authority, cuts serving terms in half by 2016 and voters will decide in 2014 whether to cut County Supervisors salaries in half from $58,000.

By H. Nelson Goodson

June 1, 2013

Milwaukee, WI - On Friday, Governor Scott Walker (R) signed Assembly Bill 85 at Serb Hall, which makes major sweeping reforms within the Milwaukee County Board. The bill transfers more authority to County Executive Chris Abele, cuts County Board staffing positions, cuts the Board $6.6 million budget by 2/3's and puts a cap, cuts 4 year terms to two years for supervisors by 2016 and will allow voters in 2014 to decide on a referendum whether to cut supervisor salaries in half from $58K to $24K.

Governor Walker said, it will "save taxpayers money" and will make county government "more responsive and efficient." 

The bill allows Executive Abele to approve contract deals, labor negotiations and county land sales, which the Board would no longer handle under the  new state bill.

Milwaukee County Board Chairwoman, Marina Dimitrijevic announced, that the Board will seek an independent attorney to see, if they would challenge Walker's county board reform bill.