The Milwaukee County Board on Nov. 6 approved an amendment (item 11 from the yellow digest) that reduces projected overtime by authorizing 20 new positions in the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office (10 deputy sheriff positions and 10 corrections officer positions) and a $300,000 pilot to place deputies on MCTS buses. The amendment passed on a roll call, 10 ayes to 8 noes.

Why it matters: The sheriff's office has relied on overtime—especially in the jail—to meet staffing needs. Supporters said creating new positions and maintaining a regional training academy will reduce mandatory and voluntary overtime over time and improve staffing stability in courts and correctional facilities.

What supporters said: The amendment's sponsor, Supervisor Johnson Jr., said training classes and recent academy sessions are producing new officers and that adding positions now will reduce the need for overtime and repeated emergency hiring cycles. He noted the sheriff's office has recently increased training throughput but that vacancies and retirements persist.

What opponents said: Some supervisors urged caution, asking the board to wait for a pending staffing study due in December that could offer a more comprehensive picture of needs and placement. Opponents preferred using the staffing-study recommendations to inform any new, recurring position authorizations.

Vote and next steps: The amendment passed 10-8. The sheriff's department and county staffing staff are expected to coordinate implementation and report on whether the new positions reduce overtime costs as projected.