Milwaukee Transport Services explains quasi‑government status as supervisors press for updated org chart and fiscal update

Milwaukee County supervisors heard an informational briefing Tuesday on the organizational structure of Milwaukee Transport Services Incorporated — the private corporation that manages and operates the Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) — and pressed transit leaders for an updated organizational chart and a fiscal-status briefing ahead of budget season.

Sandy Kellner, chief administrative officer for MTS, told the Committee on Personnel that “Milwaukee Transport Services Incorporated is considered a quasi governmental instrumentality of Milwaukee County” and that MTS employees are employees of MTS Inc., not Milwaukee County. Kellner said MTS uses facilities and equipment owned by Milwaukee County and that the MTS board — which sets business affairs while the county sets policy — includes five seats tied to county officials and the MCTS CEO.

The briefing matters because the committee and several supervisors said they have fielded constituent questions about who to contact at transit as department leadership has changed. Supervisor Johnson Jr. asked for an updated org chart to be posted to the county website and emailed to every supervisor. Kellner agreed to update the chart and distribute it to supervisors.

Supervisor Vincent and others also pressed transit leadership about employee vacancies and where human‑resources authority rests. Kellner and Steve Fuentes, the newly installed president and CEO of MCTS, said MTS maintains its own personnel and that county human resources does not govern MTS staff. Fuentes, who said he was in his second week after a 30‑year career at the Chicago Transit Authority, pledged transparency and stepped‑up communications: “Data is data. You know, we're gonna be honest. We're gonna be open. We're gonna clean things up,” he said.

Supervisors raised operational concerns discussed in public reports, including an alleged multimillion‑dollar shortfall at MCTS. Fuentes said a fiscal update on the 2025 projected budget deficit was ready and would be presented the next day. He also acknowledged recent departures from MCTS leadership and said his focus is to “forge a strong new direction” and to stabilize operations.

Fare evasion and service impacts were discussed. Supervisor Vincent asked about strategies to address nonpayment on buses. Fuentes drew on his CTA experience, saying agencies classify nonpayment into categories — those who cannot pay, those who choose not to, and the remainder — and described a CTA policy to have operators act as “fare informers” rather than enforcers while prioritizing passenger safety and timeliness.

Supervisors also relayed driver complaints about new street changes — curb bump‑outs, pylons and concrete barriers — that they say are causing tire and axle damage and making turns difficult. Fuentes said MCTS would investigate reported equipment damage and operational impacts and coordinate with the county Department of Transportation.

The chairwoman and supervisors asked that MTS and the county Department of Transportation provide clear contact names and topics for supervisors and attend upcoming supervisor town halls. Kellner and Fuentes agreed to circulate contacts and follow up on the requested fiscal briefing.

The presentation was informational; no formal action was taken by the committee on this item.

Ending: The committee moved on after the briefing; supervisors said they will follow up at upcoming meetings and town halls during budget season.