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Proposal to cut Kenosha County board from 23 to 17 draws concerns; no motion advanced
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Summary
A supervisor proposed reducing the county board from 23 to 17 members citing modest savings; several supervisors opposed making the change mid-decade, raising representation and constituent-contact concerns; the item received discussion but no motion moved forward at committee.
A proposal to reduce the size of the Kenosha County board from 23 supervisors to 17 drew substantial discussion at the committee, but members did not advance the measure.
The sponsor said reductions are feasible given technology and estimated savings of about $10,000 per supervisor (roughly $60,000 total) if six seats were cut. The proponent suggested the county might regain efficiency while saving taxpayer dollars.
Several supervisors pushed back, saying they had heard strong constituent opposition and that reducing seats mid-decade would cut voices and hamper personal outreach. One supervisor argued any change should be considered in the context of the decennial census and reapportionment rather than midterm; others said large geographic districts make direct door-knocking and constituent contact more difficult if seats are reduced.
There was no motion to adopt the resolution; the chair noted a motion was required and the item did not advance. Committee members said they appreciated the discussion and suggested the issue could be revisited in proper committee context and after census-based redistricting.
