The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors is the legislative branch of the government of Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, United States. Supervisors are elected to the board in nonpartisan elections. There are 19 supervisors.[1] The county board has several committees and votes on issues involving the county, such as the budget.[1]
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As of 1960, membership on the Board was considered more desirable than membership in the Wisconsin State Assembly, and incumbent legislators would often seek a position on the Board, resigning their legislative positions if they were victorious.[3]
In 2000, the County Board approved a generous and controversial pension plan that was negotiated by County Executive Tom Ament. The passage of the plan has been called the biggest political scandal in Milwaukee County history.[4] During 2002-2003, the county executive and seven county board members who voted for the pension deal were recalled from office. The controversy resulted in the down-sizing of the county board and led to a special election of Scott Walker as County Executive.[5]
In 2009, a civil lawsuit was filed by Milwaukee County against Mercer Human Resource Consulting, Inc., a global financial-advice firm. The county is seeking more than $100 million in damages plus more in punitive damages. The full cost of benefits related to the scandal could reach $900 million.[6]