Number
040060
Version
SUBSTITUTE 2
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. MCGEE
Title
Substitute resolution directing the Budget and Policy Division - Department of Administration to seek introduction and passage of state legislation making various changes to the membership and selection of the board of fire and police commissioners.
Analysis
This resolution directs the Budget and Policy Division - Department of Administration to seek introduction and passage of state legislation providing for the following amendments to state law relating to the board of fire and police commissioners in cities of the first class:
1. Establishes that the board shall consist of 5 members elected at the spring election from numbered election districts comprised of 3 aldermanic districts each.
2. Establishes that the electors of each election district shall elect one member residing within the election district to represent the election district.
3. Reduces the regular terms of office for members of the board from 5 years to 2-year terms, conterminous with the election of the board of school directors.
Body
Whereas, Pursuant to s. 62.50(1), Wis. Stats., the members of the board of fire and police commissioners in cities of the first class are appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the common council for terms of 5 years; and
Whereas, The current composition and method of selection of the members of the board of fire and police commissioners subjects the board to political influences, limits its autonomy and restricts the diversity of the board, its accountability to the public and its ability to implement change; and
Whereas, In order to reduce political influences and give the board of school directors greater autonomy, state laws were enacted in 1897 and 1905 reorganizing the administration of public school systems in cities of the first class; and
Whereas, In 1907, in order to increase the diversity of the board, its accountability to the public, and its ability to implement change, state law was enacted establishing that members of the board of school directors in cities of the first class be elected by the voters rather than appointed; and
Whereas, Pursuant to s. 119.08, Wis. Stats., the members of the board of school directors in cities of the first class are elected by the voters for staggered terms of 4 years; and
Whereas, State law does not provide to cities of the first class the authority to amend the composition and method of selection of the members of the board of fire and police commissioners; and
Whereas, In order to reduce political influences and give the board of fire and police commissioners greater autonomy, it is necessary to enact state law which establishes that the board shall consist of 5 members elected at the spring election from numbered election districts comprised of 3 aldermanic districts each; and
Whereas, In order to increase the diversity of the board and its accountability to the public, and its ability to implement change, it is necessary to enact state law which establishes that the electors of each election district shall elect one member residing within the election district to represent the election district; and
Whereas, In order to increase the ability of the board to implement change, it is necessary to enact state law which reduces the regular terms of office for members of the board from 5 years to 2-year terms, conterminous with the election of the board of school directors; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Budget and Policy Division - Department of Administration is directed to seek introduction and passage of state legislation which would amend state law relating to the board of police and fire commissioners in cities of the first class to establish the following:
1. Establishes that the board shall consist of 5 members elected at the spring election from numbered election districts comprised of 3 aldermanic districts each.
2. Establishes that the electors of each election district shall elect one member residing within the election district to represent the election district.
3. Reduces the regular terms of office for members of the board from 5 years to 2-year terms, conterminous with the election of the board of school directors.
Drafter
LRB04186-3
RGP
10/28/04