On April 27, 2017, Susan Crawford won key rulings for the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors in a declaratory judgment action brought against Milwaukee County Executive Christopher Abele in the Milwaukee County Circuit Court. The County Board sought to clarify its powers and responsibilities under the Wisconsin Statutes over the compensation of Milwaukee County employees. County Executive Abele raised several counterclaims seeking the court’s interpretations on related statutory issues.
In a lengthy written decision, Circuit Court Judge John DiMotto largely ruled in favor of the County Board, rejecting County Executive Abele’s claims that recent legislation eliminated the Board’s powers over employee compensation and upholding the County Board’s statutory powers to set employee salaries. The Court also subsequently denied Abele’s motion to stay the decision pending appeal. Abele has appealed.
Click on the links for media coverage of the decision.