Supervisors Propose New Board Downsizing Plan
Steve Taylor and Mark Borkowski, each of whom represent suburbs on Milwaukee County's south side, proposed cutting five supervisor positions and 40 percent off the board's personnel budget.
Two South Suburban county supervisors are proposing their own version of Milwaukee County Board downsizing.
Supervisors Steve Taylor and Mark Borkowski on Tuesday released a proposal that calls for the board to be reduced from 18 supervisors to 13 by 2016. In addition, the board's personnel budget would be cut by about 40 percent starting in 2014 and potentially 50 percent by 2016.
In an open letter, Borkowski and Taylor said they will be "asking the state Legislature to give us the tools to downsize."
"Without this authority, we are not able to take this first step in reforming ourselves," Taylor and Borkowski said.
Their plan comes after state Rep. Joe Sanfelippo, a former county board member, authored legislation that calls for a referendum on making supervisor positions part-time. Under the proposal, which has prompted a spirited debate on county board reform, supervisors' pay would be cut from $50,000 to $15,000 should a referendum pass.
Taylor and Borkowski praised Sanfelippo "for allowing us to have a seat at the table during this very important discussion"—differentiating themselves from other county board members who have criticized Sanfelippo and the idea of a part-time board.
They also said their proposal is only one aspect of county government reform they want to pursue.
"Reforming the county board is necessary but the discussion should not end there, after only addressing .5 percent of the entire county budget. For example, the county executive's budget is the highest in the state, and he requested a nearly 25 percent increase this year, which was rejected by the board," Taylor and Borkowski said.
"We need to look at all departments and services we provide, as well as find ways to truly collaborate with our local municipalities by combining services."
Taylor represents Hales Corners and most of Oak Creek and Franklin on the county board. Borkowski's district includes parts of Greenfield, Franklin and Milwaukee's southwest side.
vocal local 1
1:54 am on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
I agree with the pay cut from 50 to 15,000 per year. Conversely, I disagree with cutting the number of supervisors. OC should have it's own. The last time positions were cut we were cut out. Taylor doesn't represent us. He is on his own journey to where ever. OC actually did better under county administration. We waited a bit for the snowplows, educational services were better and less expensive, we didn't have street lights or garbage pick up. We didn't have expensive fire and police departments to fund. Perhaps we need to re-think where were at, review what has failed, and abolish local governments as a cost savings and less of an obstacle in harmony of development and administration.
Katy G
7:22 am on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Funny how their proposal doesn't include any pay cut or reduction in benefits for themselves. I vote for making them part-time.
Mark B
8:08 am on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Steve Taylor ran on a reform platform of a fiscal conservatism.
Apparently when the reforms include cutting his pay and benefits and designating his position to part time, the platform he ran on goes out the window.
GreenfieldParent
9:17 am on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
I agree with all of the comments above. It should be a part-time position at the minimum, AND the Board size could be reduced in size. The non-binding referendum in Greenfield and other communities where it got on was something like 80% in favor of doing this. The Board needs to listen to its constituents.
GreenfieldParent
9:22 am on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
I don't live in Franklin, but their recently elected Supervisor who ran on a part-time platform (replacing the previous supervisor who had a full-time job elesewhere) sure seems to have changed his tune. I know I'll be voting for the candidate running to replace Sanfellipo who believes the position should be part-time. I just hope he doesn't change his mind, if he gets in.
Al Singer
11:52 pm on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Nope I will not be changing my mind.
Al Singer
www.votealsinger.com
Let those who propose step down
8:07 pm on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
So some of the board thinks it should be downsized. Great! Eliminate them from the board and redraw the maps. Easy enough!
vocal local 1
4:07 am on Thursday, February 7, 2013
I just want to add that it is important to note that there will be as qualified concerned and perhaps more honest candidates with integrity stepping up to the plate as candidates regardless of pay. SO DON"T LISTEN TO THEIR CLAIMS AND CRIES THAT WE WON'T GET QUALIFIED CANDIDATES IF THE PAY IS CUT SEVERELY. MOST RECENTLY I LEARNED TOO LATE THAT MY SUPERVISOR, ISN'T AS BRIGHT AS HE PRESENTED HIMSELF TO BE WHEN HE RAN. WHEN THE ELEVATOR DOESN'T GO ALL THE WAY UP THEY GET PAID FOR DIS SERVICE A BIG PROBLEM IN GOVERNMENT. INCOMPETENT ELECT.