Board and Commissions of Milwaukee

The Board of Election Commissioners have the responsibility of providing a trustworthy environment to register voters and conduct elections. The board is comprised of three commissioners appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Common Council for four-year terms. Commissioners represent the dominant political parties, with two of the commissioners representing the party of the winner in the most recent gubernatorial election.

Administratively, the Election Commission employs six full-time staff, headed by an executive director. Temporary employees are hired as clerks, inspectors and registrars at election time.

Meeting of the City of Milwaukee Board of Election Commissioners
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
4:00 P.M.
City Hall, Room 501 

MEETING AGENDA

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN PURSUANT TO STATE LAW THAT THE BOARD OF ELECTION COMMISSIONERS, CITY OF MILWAUKEE, WILL HOLD A PUBLIC MEETING TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2010, AT 4:00 P.M. IN ROOM 501 OF CITY HALL, 200 E. WELLS STREET, ROOM 501.
I. Call to Order
II. Roll Call
III. Review/Approval of Board of Commission Meeting Minutes – December 15, 2009
IV. Procedure/Policy for Notification of Commissioners by Executive Director
V. Update on Journal/Sentinel Article (Dan Bice) and Alleged Police Department Inaction
VI. Election Commission’s Relationship with MPD, MCDA, and DOJ
VII. Update on Senator Coggs’ Proposed Legislation and Online Registration
VIII. Update on GAB Activities, Programs, SVRS
IX. Signage at Polling Sites
X. Absentee Ballot Activity - April 6th Election
XI. Voter Registration Statistics for 2008 and 2009
XII. Special Registration Deputies – List of Active Registrars
XIII. Preparedness for Tuesday, April 6th Spring Election
XIV. Social Development Commission Elections – Tuesday, April 6th
XV. Duties/Responsibilities of Commissioners Relative to April 6th Spring Election
XVI. Reassignment of Assistant City Attorney Melanie Swank
XVII. Federal Onsite Audit
XVIII. Special Election (County Supervisor) – April 27th and May 25th
XIX. Fall 2010 Elections
XX. Opportunity for Public Comment
XXI. Adjournment

Respectfully submitted,

Susan M. Edman
Executive Director

Upon reasonable notice, efforts will be made to accommodate the needs of persons with disabilities through sign language interpreters or auxiliary aids. For additional information or to request this service, contact

ADA Coordinator, Ms. Denise Walton
Address: Room 501, City Hall, 200 E. Wells Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202.
Tel: 286-5995
Fax: 286-8445

Ethics Board

In 1977 the City of Milwaukee adopted an ethics code for its elected officials, supervisory personnel, boards and commissions. The ethics code provides the best vehicle to assure the community that its officials recognize that the holding of public office is a public trust. Ethical conduct is truly a matter of performing one's duties and responsibilities in accordance with established rules and guidelines of good, sound judgment. Showing strict regard for ethical conduct is essential in order to maintain high public esteem. Our public officials are very concerned with this issue. The community, in turn, should be equally concerned with the rights and reputation of its dedicated public officials. Public cooperation is required to assist the Ethics Board in maintaining Milwaukee's reputation for high ethical standards and conduct.

Role of the Ethics Board

The major concern of the Ethics Board is the preservation of the high ethical standards of the City of Milwaukee. The Ethics Board addresses this concern by:

• Issuing confidential advisory opinions to covered persons with respect to their own situation or plans. A factual summary will be issued annually deleting all personal references.
• Investigating sworn complaints. The board provides a format and process for filing complaints. While a complaint and the findings of the Board may become matters of public record, only the complainant's name will be released until the Board has concluded its review.
• Requiring annual financial statements. The Board reviews a simple form which asks for information on the issues that could give rise to conflicts of interest. No detailed financial disclosure is required. The individuals required to file such statements are listed by position in the Positions Ordinance.

Who Is Covered?

The Ethics Ordinance of the City of Milwaukee specifically covers:

• Office holders or candidates for public office
• Employees in the classified service.
• Exempt employees.
• Citizens serving on boards or commissions.
  

What Concerns Are Addressed?

The major concern of the Ethics Board is to maintain the high ethical standards of Milwaukee's City government. The ordinance prohibits:

• Business associations, financial interests or other activities which could give rise to conflicts of interest in fact or appearance.

Ethics Board
Address: City Hall, Room 205
200 E. Wells Street Milwaukee, WI 53202
Tel: (414) 286-8641
Fax: (414) 286-0723

About the Fire and Police Commission

What the Fire and Police Commission Does

Under Wisconsin law and the Milwaukee City Charter, the Fire and Police Commission oversees all aspects of Fire Department and Police Department operations. The Commission sets overall policy while the chief of each department manages daily operations and implements the Commission’s policy direction and goals. Specific Commission functions also include establishing recruitment and testing standards for positions in the Fire and Police Departments, hearing appeals by members of either department who have been disciplined by their Chief, independently investigating and monitoring citizen complaints, and disciplining employees for misconduct.

The seven part-time civilian Commissioners and full-time Executive Director are appointed by the Mayor and must be approved by the Common Council. The Commissioners serve as the citizens’ voice in police and fire matters and as a means of ensuring more responsive and effective city government. Diversity of background and experience makes the Commissioners’ concerns reflective of the community-at-large, and their priorities include initiatives to reduce crime, increase public safety, and maintain effective responses to fire and medical emergencies. Commissioners serve overlapping five-year terms, with one appointed each year, and receive a nominal salary of $6,600.00 per year. A ten-person staff, headed by the Executive Director, is responsible for carrying out Commission functions. Staff members are employees of the City of Milwaukee.

Michael G. Tobin, Executive Director
Address: 200 E. Wells Street, Room 706-A
Milwaukee, WI 53202
24-Hour message Line
414-286-5000
Office Hours
Weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.