Renaming the office of county treasurer in Milwaukee County, creating the elective office of county comptroller for Milwaukee County, transferring the duties of the Milwaukee County treasurer to that elective office, and expanding the duties and responsibilities of that office

What it would have done

Summary by the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.

This bill renames the office of treasurer in any county with a population of at least 750,000 (presently only Milwaukee County) comptroller, and creates the elective office of comptroller in any such county. The comptroller is to be chosen every four years in the general election, beginning in 2012. An individual must be a licensed or certified public accountant, or must have a master's degree or doctorate degree in accounting or finance, to hold the office of comptroller. Upon the election and qualification of the comptroller, the duties and responsibilities of the Milwaukee County treasurer are transferred to the comptroller. The comptroller is also given additional duties and responsibilities under the bill. The term of the current elective treasurer runs until approximately January 2013. The current comptroller, who is not elected, may continue as a county employee in the office of the elected comptroller under his or her current terms of employment. To the extent that he or she is not covered by a civil service ordinance, any employee in the current office of comptroller may continue in office subject to the approval of the elected comptroller.

Under the bill, the comptroller is the chief financial officer of the county, the administrator of the county's financial affairs, and the person who oversees all of the county's debt. The comptroller is required to provide the county board and executive with a fiscal note for all proposed legislation and to report, on a regular basis, on the condition of the county's funds, and claims that are payable. He or she must also prepare and distribute an annual certified statement about the receipts and disbursements from each county fund in the preceding fiscal year. Also on an annual basis, the comptroller must prepare and distribute to the board and the executive a five-year financial condition forecast for the county.

Who's behind it

4 lawmakers are its authors⁠. All 4 are Republicans.

3 more lawmakers signed on in support⁠.

What it would cost

State agencies filed a cost estimate. Each opens as a PDF from the Legislature.

• Fiscal Estimate From DOR

Versions and amendments

Every text the Legislature printed for this bill, including proposed changes. Each opens on the Legislature's site.

• Amendment ASA1-AB329