Budget amendment adopted to bolster sworn personnel recruitment efforts

Today (Friday, November 8) the Common Council adopted an amendment to the 2025 City budget sponsored by Alderman Peter Burgelis and Alderman Scott Spiker with the intent of bolstering city efforts to recruit sworn personnel.

The amendment creates a Sworn Employee Referral Special Fund in the Fire and Police Commission with $15,000 of funding. The Fire and Police Commission may, when needed to supplement recruiting efforts, pay a $500 – $2,000 bonus to any current City employee who refers sworn personnel. The amendment also adds $70,000 to the Fire and Police Commission Professional Services operating account for a social media consultant to provide gold standard recruitment practices in the digital space.

“Sworn recruitment must be a priority for the City. This budget amendment gives the Fire and Police Commission more tools in their toolbox to ensure each of the three 2025, 65-recruit-classes are full, and that we find and train the best candidates possible to support our city,” said Alderman Burgelis and Alderman Spiker.

The budget amendment sponsored by Alderman Burgelis and Alderman Spiker is one of 25 amendments adopted by the Common Council as part of the 2025 City budget that will now head to desk of Mayor Cavalier Johnson. He will have until the close of business on Tuesday, November 19 to sign the budget or issue any vetoes.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.