Friday, April 5, 2013
A forum Thursday night in South Milwaukee spelled out all of the changes under a proposed bill reforming Milwaukee County government.
A possible 2014 referendum on slashing salaries of Milwaukee County supervisors—essentially making them part-time positions—has gotten a lot of headlines in recent weeks. But as those attending a forum Thursday in South Milwaukee heard, it's far from the only part of state Rep. Joe Sanfelippo's proposed legislation reforming county government. Sanfelippo, himself a former county supervisor, explained the rationale behind his legislation to what appeared to be an evenly-split audience of roughly 200 at the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center. County Supervisor Theo Lipscomb provided counter-arguments, with County Supervisor Pat Jursik, who has not yet taken an official position on the bill, moderating the discussion. Besides supervisor …
Friday, January 11, 2013
Bill proposed by state Sen. Alberta Darling and Rep. Joe Sanfelippo calls for binding referendum making supervisors part time and axing salary by 70 percent.
Calling it a plan to help Milwaukee County deal with its fiscal woes, two Republican state legislators on Friday unveiled a plan that would enable voters to decide whether to drastically cut salaries of county supervisors. The legislation proposed by Sen. Alberta Darling of River Hills and Rep. Joe Sanfelippo of West Allis would authorize a binding referendum in April that calls for reducing salaries by 70 percent — from about $50,000 to $15,000 — and making the positions part time. "This bill is about local control," Darling said in a press release. "It let's voters decide what's more important: parks or politicians." Darling and Sanfelippo are seeking co-sponsors for the bill, which also would eliminate health care and pension benefits …
Monday, November 7, 2011
Supervisor approves $1.5 million in emergency services subsidies to municipalities, but there are strings attached to deal.
The Milwaukee County Board Monday — on a veto-proof vote of 15-4 — approved a budget amendment that would restore $1.5 million to the county’s Emergency Medical Services subsidy. The amendment was presented by the board’s Finance Committee in response to County Executive Chris Abele’s plan to eliminate the entire $3 million that the 19 county municipalities would have received in 2012 for EMS personnel and training. However, there are conditions on the money: If the municipalities don’t agree to the conditions, the board will withhold the subsidy. Supervisors Mark Borkowski, Willie Johnson, Joe Sanfelippo and James "Luigi" Schmitt voted against the measure. Those backing the amendment said since the funds were county dollars, the board…
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Eyon Biddle lashes out at fellow supervisor's idea.
Milwaukee County Supervisor Eyon Biddle released a statement today calling fellow supervisor Joe Sanfelippo a "comedian" for proposing a part-time county board. "Clearly, my esteemed colleague, Supervisor Joe Sanfelippo, is a comedian. His proposal for a part-time county board is a joke," Biddle's statement begins. Sanfelippo unveiled his proposal, which he says is a cost-cutting measure that would save $850,000 per year, on Monday. But Biddle said county board work requires a lot of "blood, sweat and tears" and that making it part-time would not help county government. "I work hard to represent the diverse needs of the 10th District. I serve with pride and take the responsibilities seriously. It's a round-the-clock job," he said. "…
Monday, August 29, 2011
Joe Sanfelippo proposing big county government reforms.
A Milwaukee County supervisor is proposing a major change in the way county government operates. Joe Sanfelippo is sponsoring a resolution that would make county board positions part-time and reduce supervisors' annual pay from $50,090 to $15,000, according to a news release. In addition, no pension service credit would be provided to any supervisor after the April 2012 election. Sanfelippo, a West Allis resident, says this would save county taxpayers $850,000 per year. "These savings could be used to help preserve safety net services and quality of life programs that are in jeopardy of being cut due to the large structural deficit the County faces in 2012," he said in the news release. "A part-time county board would operate in a fashion …
$$andSense
5:15 am on Monday, January 14, 2013
"My personal opinion is that it is better to have a citizen-board. Despite a few disadvantages, the closer the power is to the people, the better." Yes, Anti, that is where it should go in my opinion. There should be no such thing as payroll career politicians from mayors right up to fed senators, other than per diem and some reasonable compensation. Elected office should be a privilege and as … more ›