Personnel committee confirms PRB appointment, approves zoo residency post and staffing changes; child support request laid over

The Milwaukee County Committee on Personnel on March 4 recommended confirmation of Peggy Schneider to the Personnel Review Board and approved three staffing items: creation of one zoological medicine and surgery resident position at the Milwaukee County Zoo, creation of one full-time data analyst position in Pretrial Services and creation of one human service worker position for the Children’s Community Options Program (CCOP). The committee laid over a separate request from Child Support Services for additional staff for one meeting cycle.

The meeting produced the following formal outcomes (motions taken and roll-call tallies):

Votes at a glance

- Appointment: Peggy Schneider — Motion to recommend confirmation (mover: Supervisor Martin). Vote: Wasserman — Aye; Martin — Aye; Madam Chairwoman — Aye. Tally: 3 ayes, 0 nos. Item recorded as recommended for confirmation. Term noted as expiring 03/20/2030. (Transcript excerpt: Item 3; 669.42–685.37 and 831.89–845.08)

- Zoo residency position: Creation of 1 FTE zoological medicine and surgery resident — Motion to recommend adoption (mover: Supervisor Martin). Vote: Wasserman — A strong aye; Martin — Aye; Madam Chairwoman — Aye. Tally: 3 ayes, 0 nos. (Transcript excerpt: Item 4; 861.04–921.67 and 1537.92–1552.33)

- Pretrial Services reclassification: Abolish 1 court coordinator and create 1 full-time data analyst — Motion to recommend adoption (mover: Supervisor Wasserman). Vote: Wasserman — Aye; Martin — Aye; Madam Chairwoman — Aye. Tally: 3 ayes, 0 nos. (Transcript excerpt: Item 5; 1565.41–1604.95 and 1789.74–1802.40)

- CCOP human service worker: Create 1 FTE human service worker (pay grade 16 Z4) for CCOP in Children, Youth and Family Services — Motion to recommend adoption (mover: Supervisor Martin). Vote: Wasserman — Aye; Martin — Aye; Madam Chairwoman — Aye. Tally: 3 ayes, 0 nos. (Transcript excerpt: Item 6; 1816.21–1863.27 and 2105.59–2118.82)

- Child Support Services staffing request: Creation of 1 FTE legal counsel (child support), 1 FTE clerical assistant and 4 FTE child support specialists; abolishment of 2 FTE child support assistants — Motion by Supervisor Martin to lay over for one meeting cycle. Vote: Vincent — Aye; Wasserman — Aye; Martin — Aye; Madam Chairwoman — Aye. Tally: 4 ayes, 0 nos. Item laid over. (Transcript excerpt: Item 7; 2127.78–2196.04 and 2831.30–2847.66)

Why it matters

Committee action advances staffing changes across multiple county departments that committee members said are intended to address workforce shortages and operational needs: the zoo’s decision aims to sustain a veterinary residency program and address a national shortage of zoo veterinarians; Pretrial Services’ change is described as an operational realignment intended to support evidence-informed decision-making; CCOP’s new position is intended to serve children on wait lists for the Children’s Long Term Support (CLTS) waiver and to maintain program compliance with Wisconsin Department of Health Services expectations. The Child Support Services request prompted the most extended fiscal questions and was laid over so supervisors can review funding details before county board consideration.

Details and key remarks

Peggy Schneider — Personnel Review Board: Tim Schwabbe, deputy chief of staff for County Executive David Crowley, introduced Schneider as an HR specialist with nearly eight years of Milwaukee County experience. Schneider told the committee she worked as an HR business partner across county departments and helped prepare charges for the Personnel Review Board when disciplinary steps did not resolve employee issues. Supervisor Martin moved to recommend the appointment. The motion passed by roll call (3–0).

Milwaukee County Zoo — zoological medicine residency: Tracy Dolphin, director of Animal Management and Health, said the zoo has run a residency program in partnership with the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine and the International Crane Foundation since 2001 and has trained 13 residents. Dolphin said UW–Madison is discontinuing its combined program, leaving a shortage of approved zoological medicine residencies. The zoo requested creation of one resident position to operate an independent three-year residency; the zoo anticipates its first resident in July 2026. Supervisor Martin moved approval; the motion passed 3–0.

Pretrial Services — data analyst reclassification: Vicky Lupo, judicial operations manager for Pretrial Services, asked to abolish one court coordinator position and create a full-time data analyst to improve data capacity in the criminal justice area. Lupo said the change repurposes a vacancy to improve evidence-informed operations. Supervisor Wasserman moved approval; the motion passed 3–0.

Children’s Community Options Program (CCOP) — human service worker: Kelly Pethke, Administrator for Children, Youth and Family Services (DHHS), requested creation of one human service worker position to support children served by CCOP and those on waiting lists for the CLTS waiver. She said the position will be funded from CLTS waiver funds and will operate out of the soon-to-be-occupied COGS building. Supervisor Martin moved approval; the motion passed 3–0.

Child Support Services staffing request — laid over: Artis Landon, administrator for Child Support Services, requested six new positions to manage an increase in caseload and to expand satellite locations. Landon said caseloads had risen to “over 21,000 cases,” and that staff were overwhelmed by court time and preparation. Legal counsel Katie Murphy explained federal and state reimbursement rules and said some funding in the fiscal note reflects federal reimbursement rates and contract arrangements. Supervisors raised questions about the fiscal note and long-term funding stability; Supervisor Martin moved to lay the request over for one meeting cycle to allow staff to provide additional fiscal detail. The motion carried 4–0.

Context and next steps

All items noted as "recommended for adoption/confirmation" by the committee will be forwarded to the Milwaukee County Board or the appropriate committee for final action. Child Support Services staff will provide further fiscal detail before the next personnel committee meeting, per supervisors' requests.

Ending

The committee’s next regular meeting was announced for Tuesday, April 8 at 2:30 p.m. The Personnel Committee adjourned after closing the March 4 meeting.