Number
091100
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. DONOVAN, WITKOWIAK, BAUMAN, BOHL and DUDZIK
Title
Substitute resolution relating to consolidation of services provided by the City of Milwaukee, the Milwaukee Public Schools and Milwaukee County.
Analysis
This resolution expresses the City's support for studying the possible consolidation or merger of functions or departments of the City, the Milwaukee Public Schools and Milwaukee County where overlap or duplication of functions or services exists. It also directs the Department of Administration to convene meetings with its MPS and Milwaukee County counterparts, and with representatives of relevant City, MPS and County departments, for the purpose of identifying duplicative or overlapping services and recommending consolidation or merger of functions or departments.
Body
Whereas, The City of Milwaukee, the Milwaukee Public Schools and Milwaukee County all face persistent and growing fiscal challenges related to rising employee/retiree health-benefit and pension costs, stagnant state aid, mandated services, aging infrastructure and limited tax-base growth; and
Whereas, In light of these fiscal challenges, it is incumbent upon these 3 units of government to explore potential cost savings from the consolidation or merger of functions and departments that at least 2 of the governments - and in some cases all 3 - appear to have; and
Whereas, It is likely that functions and departments with overlap or duplication of services can be consolidated or merged without reducing the level of service provided to internal or external customers; and
Whereas, Functions or services which appear to be provided by at least 2 of these units of government, and which should be studied for possible consolidation or merger, include finance, human resources, employees' retirement, public works, health and legal counsel; and
Whereas, It is appropriate for key administrators of the City, County and MPS to meet for the purposes of:
a. Identifying departments or functions where there is overlap or duplication of services between or among the 3 units of government.
b. Developing recommendations for the consolidation or merger of departments and functions where substantial cost savings may be realized without a significant reduction in the level of services provided.
; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the City supports the study of possible consolidation or merger of functions or departments of the City, the Milwaukee Public Schools and Milwaukee County where overlap or duplication of functions or services exists; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Department of Administration is directed to convene meetings with its County and MPS counterparts, and with representatives of relevant City, County and MPS departments, for the purposes of:
a. Identifying departments or functions where there is overlap or duplication of services between or among the 3 units of government.
b. Developing recommendations for the consolidation or merger of departments and functions where substantial cost savings may be realized without a significant reduction in the level of services provided.
; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Department of Administration shall provide a report to the Common Council on the status of these intergovernmental meetings, including any relevant findings or recommendations, within 6 months of adoption of this resolution.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB09475-2
JDO
01/07/2010