Milwaukee County Executive Crowley vetoes 36% pay raises for top elected officials

In a surprise move, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley vetoed a County Board resolution that would give 36% pay raises to the county's treasurer, county clerk and register of deeds.

Last week, the County Board voted 16-1 in favor of the hike, with Supervisor Sheldon A. Wasserman casting the lone 'no' vote. Supervisor Ryan Clancy was not present during the vote.

Treasurer David Cullen, County Clerk George Christenson and Register of Deeds Israel Ramón did not respond to requests for comments Thursday. The three Democrats are up for re-election this year.

The three elected, partisan officers are currently paid about $91,500 annually. The vetoed resolution would have seen their pay jump roughly $33,000.

"I do not object to increasing the annual salaries for Milwaukee County employees in an effort to align with current market trends," Crowley said in a statement Thursday.

However, he said he is cognizant of the county's financial challenge and looming budget deficits.

"We must be fiscally responsible stewards for Milwaukee County taxpayers," Crowley said. "We need to promote fiscal responsibility and thoughtful spending at every turn. We also must maintain our commitment to equity at all levels of County government."

Overall, the County Board’s amended resolution would have increased salary costs — not including social security expenses — by more than $226,000 over the four-year term, compared to what was included in an original proposal.

Crowley also noted that there are no employee groups and/or positions at the county that have set annual percentage increases, except for those covered under the county's public safety collective bargaining agreements. All other annual increases for those eligible are discretionary and not guaranteed.

Approving the board's resolution would "create an inequitable, unfair environment between Milwaukee County’s elected officials, department leaders, and general employees," according to Crowley's statement.

The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors can still override the veto.

Milwaukee County Board Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson declined to comment.

Ted Chisholm, Cullen's current lone challenger, said he supported Crowley's decision and, if elected, would not accept such a salary increase.

"My commitment as a candidate for treasurer is to be an accountable and efficient steward of taxpayer dollars, while driving reform and innovation in the treasurer's office," he said.

Chisholm added: "I respect the intention behind trying to provide competitive compensation to any civil servants working in county government providing frontline service to our community, but this is an elected position. As someone running for an elected position, I think we need to be focused on how do we make county government as responsive as efficient as accountable as possible, and not on prioritizing so large of a salary increase."

The partisan election is Nov. 5, but an Aug. 13 primary on the Democratic side would determine a race between Cullen and Chisholm and any other Democrats who could enter the race to advance to the Nov. 5 election. No Republicans have announced a candidacy.

Contact Vanessa Swales at 414-308-5881 or [email protected]. Follow her on X @Vanessa_Swales.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: County Executive David Crowley vetoes 36% pay raises for 3 officials