County Board reform bill debated at state Capitol



MADISON (WITI) -- A controversial measure to reduce pay for Milwaukee County Board Supervisors was debated in the state Capitol on Wednesday, April 17th. Democrats are trying to preserve some of the Board's power, while the Republican-controlled Assembly is making that difficult.

Assembly Bill 25 was being debated in Madison on Wednesday. That bill would leave the decision up to voters in a binding referendum. Milwaukee County voters would be able to decide whether they want a part-time Board of Supervisors.

The bill puts it up to voters whether they want the pay for a County Supervisor in Milwaukee County cut from a little more than $50,000 a year to $24,000 a year.

The bill also cuts the negotiating power for the Milwaukee County Board and gives the Milwaukee County Executive more control over contracts and labor negotiations. The effort is spearheaded by a former Milwaukee County Supervisor and now Assembly Rep. Joe Sanfelippo (R - Milwaukee).

"After maybe a decade, we're finally getting a debate on reforming the Milwaukee County Board," Sanfelippo said.

"What we're doing today is trying to micro-manage the County of Milwaukee. I did not hear that when I knocked on doors and you probably didn't in northeastern Wisconsin -- trying to figure out what the people needed in our state," Sandy Pasch (D - Shorewood) said.