Civil Service Commission
What We Do
The Civil Service Commission ensures the fair and impartial due process hearings for the suspension, demotion or discharge of County Behavioral Health Services employees in the classified service, considers requests for the transfer of county positions to or from the classified service, requests for residency exemptions, and exercises administrative control over the merit system, including promulgation of rules, pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes 63.01 to 63.03 and the Milwaukee County General Ordinances Civil Service Rules. These provide the authority for the Civil Service Commission Hearing Procedures.
Potential Civil Service Commission 2026 Meetings & Deadlines
- Meeting January 15: Content Due January 2
- Meeting February 19: Content Due February 2
- Meeting March 19: Content Due March 2
- Meeting April 16: Content Due March 30
- Meeting May 21: Content Due May 4
- Meeting June 18: Content Due June 1
- Meeting July 16: Content Due June 30
- Meeting August 20: Content Due August 3
- Meeting September 17: Content Due August 31
- Meeting October 15: Content Due September 30
- Meeting November 19: Content Due November 2
- Meeting December 17: Content Due November 30
Check out the submission guidelines.
For copies of any past CSC meeting agendas or minutes, please contact the Personnel Review Board Office.
Milwaukee County Civil Service Commission Meeting: May 21, 2026
414-278-4218 [email protected]
Notice of Meeting Cancellation:
The regular meeting of the Milwaukee County Civil Service Commission scheduled for Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 3:45 p.m. is cancelled.
Cancellation is due to the agenda containing no requests for position transfers or residency exemptions.
Milwaukee County Civil Service Commission Meeting: February 19, 2026
Meeting Minutes:
1. Roll Call
Commission Chair Janet Cleary called to order the regular meeting of the Civil Service Commission (“CSC”) at 3:47 p.m. on Thursday, February 19, 2026. The meeting was held virtually via Microsoft Teams®.
The following board members were present: Ms. Janet Cleary, Ms. Keshia Exum-Pryor, and Dr. Elliott Moeser.
2. Approval of the Minutes of the December 18, 2025 Meeting
The Secretary to the Civil Service Commission requests the approval of the Civil Service Commission minutes from December 18, 2025.
Recommendation of the Department of Human Resources: Approve.
Action: Ms. Exum-Pryor moved to approve the minutes from the December 18, 2025 Civil Service Commission meeting. Dr. Moeser seconded the motion.
Ayes – 3: Ms. Exum-Pryor, Dr. Moeser and Ms. Cleary; Noes – 0.
3. Forwarding of the Minutes from the Personnel Review Board Meetings
The Secretary to the Civil Service Commission forwards the minutes of the Milwaukee County Personnel Review Board of November 24, December 2 and December 8, 2025 and January 6 and January 20, 2026.
Recommendation of the Department of Human Resources: Receive and Place on File.
Action: So ordered.
4. Update on County Badges for Board Members
Ms. Jenny Kasza, Administrative Assistant, reported that the county has been updating badges for employees for approximately six months. Office staff members have obtained their badges. In January 2026 Ms. Kasza emailed instructions to board members should they wish to obtain the latest badges. The process involves visiting the new Coggs building. No appointment is needed but call the Coggs building ahead to ensure the machine is set up and to verify hours. Parking is available in the lot and on the street. Obtaining the latest badge would prevent board members from having to clear the security checkpoint should they need to enter the courthouse for a hearing or other county business. Ms. Kasza will email board members a reminder about badges.
Appearances: Ms. Jenny Kasza, Administrative Assistant.
Action: None required; informational only.
5. Training Modules for Board Members
Ms. Jenny Kasza, Administrative Assistant, reported that in February 2026 board members received an email with links to the modules (or members could access the courses via Dayforce). Training will be due at the end of February 2026. The topics include government ethics and harassment with a newly added portion on sexual harassment. Board members will see a guestbook and should enter an email address (personal or county email address). Board members should also sign a form proving they took the courses. Ms. Kasza will email board members a reminder about the training.
Appearances: Ms. Jenny Kasza, Administrative Assistant.
Action: None required; informational only.
6. Request Regarding Deputy Sheriff
From the Inspector, Milwaukee County Office of the Sheriff, requesting an exemption for applicants for Deputy Sheriff, as permitted under Wis. Stats. 63.08(1)(a), to open the application process to residents of other states.
Appearances: Tricia Carlson, Inspector, Milwaukee County Office of the Sheriff.
Action: Approve the request for an exemption for applicants for Deputy Sheriff, as permitted under Wis. Stats. 63.08(1)(a), to open the application process to residents of other states permanently.
Ayes – 3: Ms. Exum-Pryor moved to approve the request for an exemption for applicants for Deputy Sheriff, as permitted under Wis. Stats. 63.08(1)(a), to open the application process to residents of other states permanently. Dr. Moeser seconded; Noes – 0.
7. Meeting Adjournment
Action: Ms. Exum-Pryor moved to adjourn the meeting. Dr. Moeser seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 4:09 p.m.
Ayes – 3: Ms. Exum-Pryor, Dr. Moeser, and Ms. Cleary; Noes – 0.
Approved by: Debbie Rios, Secretary to the Civil Service Commission
DR: jk
C: Personnel Review Board
How to File a Citizen Complaint
The Civil Service Commission does not offer or give legal advice. The citizen must seek legal advice from his or her own legal counsel. The citizen takes the position of prosecutor to present a disciplinary case against an employee before the Civil Service Commission Hearing Examiner. Any accused employee who comes before the hearing Examiner on a citizen complaint has the option of representing themselves or having legal counsel. Below are the Milwaukee County General Ordinances Civil Service Rules related to citizen complaints.
Who Can File Charges
- It shall be the duty of the department director to file charges against any person in the classified service and subordinate to that department director if, in that person's opinion, there is cause for demotion, suspension or discharge.
- If a department director neglects or refuses to file charges, it shall be the duty of the Department of Human Resources Director to file charges if the Department of Human Resources Director believes that there is cause to file charges against any person in the classified service.
- Any citizen, except those mentioned in A and B above or an individual acting in a representative capacity for any group or organization, may file charges against any person in the classified service, as long as:
- The allegations contained in the charge are made under oath and formally notarized, and
- Such allegations are supported by the affidavit of one or more witnesses who are alleged to have first-hand knowledge of the facts underlying the allegations
Civil Service Rules are used to determine the allegations of the employee for the administering of discipline. One or more of the rules must be stated in order for the Civil Service Commission to hear the allegations.
Upon filing of complaint, the executive secretary shall verify compliance of such complaint with 1 and 2 above; and, when so verified, the executive secretary shall place said complaint on the agenda for the Civil Service Commission's determination as to whether the charges are grave enough to warrant a hearing.
Contact the Commission
The Civil Service Commission staff are available to answer questions regarding the disciplinary process of Milwaukee County employees, transfer of positions to the unclassified service, residency exemptions, or other questions you may have. Contact us at:
Milwaukee County Civil Service Commission
Milwaukee County Courthouse
901 N. 9th St., Room 210
Milwaukee, WI 53233
Commission Members
Janet Cleary, Chair - Term Expires 08/01/2029
Ms. Janet Cleary earned her bachelor's degree in Nutritional Sciences from Cornell University and her master's degree in Industrial and Labor Relations from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Ms. Cleary is the Acting Field Placement and Licensure Coordinator with the College of Education at Marquette University.
She retired from the Milwaukee Public Schools in 2013 after 34 years of service in the Human Resources Department as a Manager in Staffing Services and Classified Staffing, Staffing Specialist and Supervising Dietitian.
Keshia Exum-Pryor, Vice Chair - Term Expires 04/20/2027
Keshia Exum-Pryor holds a bachelor's degree in Human Resources and Marketing from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a master's degree from Cardinal Stritch University. Ms. Exum-Pryor has over 18 years of human resources experience specializing in areas such as employee relations, benefits, safety, payroll, FMLA and ADA to name a few. Ms. Exum-Pryor is an experienced human resources executive who advocates for employees while maintaining the needs of employers. Ms. Exum-Pryor holds a certificate in Human Resources, she is certified with the Society of Human Resources Management as an HR Professional as well as the HR Certification Institute.
Kathryn West - Term Expires 04/30/2031
Kyle Williams - Term Expires 04/30/2028
Kyle Williams is a corporate attorney based in Downtown Milwaukee, where his legal practice includes Public Finance, Business, and Commercial Real Estate. Mr. Williams is a Milwaukee native; he brings a deep understanding of the local economic landscape to his practice, coupled with a sophisticated educational background.
He studied Jazz at Milwaukee High School of the Arts. He went on to earn his Bachelor of Arts degree from Fisk University before pursuing an MBA from the Lubar College of Business. Seeking to bridge the gap between business strategy and legal counsel, he later obtained his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School.
Prior to his legal career, he gained significant institutional experience working with major Wisconsin-based organizations, including Advocate Aurora, Quarles & Brady, BMO Bank, and Gateway Capital. This unique blend of high-level corporate experience and legal training allows him to provide clients with practical, results-oriented solutions in complex transactions.
Currently, Kyle is an Associate at MWH Law Group, LLP, where he works with the corporate/transactional law group.
Rochelle Robinson - Term Expires 04/30/2030
Rochelle Robinson is a Compliance Analyst within the Governance, Risk and Compliance team for the WEC Energy Group in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Rochelle’s role implements the first compliance office function focusing on third party risk management within WEC Energy Group. She oversees compliance management activities, including establishing, implementing, and monitoring policies, procedures, regulations, laws and support systems. Her team conducts SOC investigations, manages complex data and insures annual policy compliance for the employees of all seven subsidiaries of WEC Energy Group.
Rochelle has more than 18 years of leadership experience in customer service and finance. She has led compliance initiatives in the utility and healthcare industries. She has extensive experience as a teacher and professor and has worked at Milwaukee Public Schools and Milwaukee Area Technical College. In August of 2022, the Milwaukee Business News honored her a Top In-Kind Supporter for her work accomplishments.
Rochelle holds a Master’s in the Art of Teaching with a certificate in Special Education from Rockford University and a Bachelor of Science in Financial Accounting with a Master’s in Business Administration from Cardinal Stritch University.
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