Milwaukee board approves routine personnel extensions and pay-range re-exemptions

President Frank Bach called the Oct. 21 meeting of the Board of City Service Commissioners to order and the board approved a set of routine personnel and classification actions.

The actions matter because they maintain staffing continuity across several city departments — Public Works, Water Works, Employee Relations, Neighborhood Services, Health, and Administration — while hiring, reclassification or managerial transitions proceed.

The board first approved the minutes of its Sept. 23, 2025 meeting (file 250958) after a motion and second; commissioners recorded affirmative roll-call votes and the chair announced the minutes approved "as submitted." President Frank Bach opened the meeting by identifying himself as president of the board and calling the roll.

On personnel items, the board approved: a six-month extension (11/09/2025–05/09/2026) for a temporary appointment for Bridal Deswart in the Department of Public Works (file 250959). Department of Public Works staff said the extension will allow completion of the hiring process; the department submitted a letter from City Engineer Kevin Muse and the temporary-appointment paperwork.

The board approved retroactive 90-day extensions (10/11/2025–01/17/2026) for three Milwaukee Water Works auxiliary water repair workers — Mark Miller, Ernestine Sims and Eric Wilson (file 251046). The Water Works letter from Jane Islow explained these workers perform hydrant painting, flushing and valve exercising and that the department wishes to continue those activities into winter.

The board granted a three-month extension (10/26/2025–01/03/2026) for Kristen Hennessy Urban to remain in a chief-of-staff role in the Department of Employee Relations to facilitate a transition with the Port of Milwaukee. Commissioners asked whether a longer extension might be necessary; staff said they would return for further action if more time were needed. The extension request was supported by a letter from Jackie Carter, employee relations director, and included Ms. Urban’s resume.

A 60-day extension (10/26/2025–12/21/2025) for Sarah Wengren, HRIS auditor lead, was approved while a reclassification study proceeds; DER provided a supporting letter and job description. The Department of Neighborhood Services’ request to extend the probationary period for Jennifer Bennett, permit desk supervisor, six months (10/13/2025–04/13/2026) was approved; DNS staff clarified the manager position above the supervisor role has been vacant and that the extension is for the supervisor position.

The board also approved a series of pay-range re-exemptions: the marketing and communications officer for the Hop streetcar (file 251057); the deputy commissioner of community health in the Health Department (file 251058); the Health Department’s marketing and communications coordinator (file 251059); and the Department of Administration’s grant compliance manager (file 251082). Department letters and job descriptions were provided in support of each request; staff memos from the human-resources manager were included where noted.

All motions were moved and seconded and passed by roll-call votes recorded during the meeting. After the agenda items, Executive Secretary Irma introduced Jackie Carter as the new director of Employee Relations; Carter said she has worked in city government for about 18 years and looks forward to the role. The board then adjourned.

Votes at a glance

- File 250958 (minutes of Sept. 23, 2025): approved. Commissioners recorded affirmative roll-call votes. - File 250959 (temporary appointment extension — Bridal Deswart, DPW): approved by roll-call vote. - File 251046 (Water Works — 90-day retroactive extensions for Mark Miller, Ernestine Sims, Eric Wilson): approved by roll-call vote. - Item 6 (temporary appointment extension — Kristen Hennessy Urban, DER): approved by roll-call vote (agenda file not specified on the record). - File 251081 (temporary appointment extension — Sarah Wengren, HRIS auditor lead): approved by roll-call vote. - File 251048 (probationary extension — Jennifer Bennett, DNS): approved by roll-call vote. - File 251057 (re-exempt marketing and communications officer, Streetcar/HOP): approved by roll-call vote. - File 251058 (re-exempt deputy commissioner of community health, Health Department): approved by roll-call vote. - File 251059 (re-exempt marketing and communications coordinator, Health Department): approved by roll-call vote. - File 251082 (re-exempt grant compliance manager, Department of Administration): approved by roll-call vote.

No items on the agenda were tabled, failed, or postponed during this meeting. The meeting closed with brief announcements and the adjournment.