Board authorizes 20 MCSO positions in bid to reduce overtime; amendment passes 10–8

The Milwaukee County Board on Nov. 6 approved an amendment (item 11) to convert expected overtime spending into 20 new Sheriff—s Office positions and a $300,000 pilot program for deputies to ride MCTS buses. The amendment passed by roll call, 10 ayes to 8 noes.

Supervisor Johnson Jr., who moved the amendment, argued the county has recently run more training classes (deputy and correctional officer academies) after a long hiring freeze and that converting overtime into staffed positions will both reduce mandatory overtime and improve staffing reliability. Johnson said much of the jail and courthouse overtime stems from staffing gaps and argued that newly trained hires will lessen reliance on costly overtime.

Supporters and sheriff—s office representatives told supervisors that training capacity in Milwaukee County is high-quality and regional departments recruit from these classes; critics urged caution and recommended waiting for a separate, commissioned staffing study that will be delivered later (a staff staffing study was referenced by some supervisors as forthcoming in December). "Delay is not good," Johnson said, urging the board to adopt the amendment now rather than wait for a later study.

Clerk records show the amendment included a $300,000 pilot line to place deputies on some MCTS buses as part of security planning. The amendment was adopted 10–8; supporters said the change is a near-term policy tool to reduce overtime and stabilize corrections and courthouse staffing.