City Administration
City Administrator Responsibilites
The City Administrator serves as the Chief Administrative Officer for the City, and is primarily responsible for carrying out the policies established by the Common Council, overseeing day-to-day activities of the City, and supervising City Department Heads. The Administrator is appointed by the Common Council and works under the general direction and policy guidance of the Mayor and Common Council. The City Administrator serves as the Finance Director, Personnel Director and Press Officer. Other duties include intergovernmental relations, public relations, business relations, economic development, community planning and development, budget preparation, emergency management and organizational development.
Budget
In an on-going effort to keep residents informed about the development of the City’s proposed 2012 budget, we are providing direct links to the proposed 2012 levy, proposed categorical budgets from each department’s anticipated expenditures, as well as proposed revenue information. In separate documents we, our elected officials and staff, began the budget process in February of 2011 facing challenges of decreased revenue and increased expenditures, and throughout staff and Council budget workshops, have reduced expenditures by nearly $300,000 in our on-going effort to keep the City of Milton an affordable place to live and do business. Of those nearly $300,000 in expenditure reductions, $107,000 came from employee compensation reductions, $63,000 came from paying off debt service associated with the City’s portion of replacing a used ladder truck for our jointly owned fire department, and an additional $125,000 came from reductions in expenses from each of our service providing departments. These efforts, coupled with the Council’s decision to transition to a less expensive private provider for refuse and recycling services would find a Milton resident owning a $100,000 home to experience just under a 2 percent increase when all taxes and fees are considered.
Unfortunately, due to the State Department of Revenue not having their manufacturing assessments yet released, we are not able to provide more information related to the City’s proposed tax rate. It is for that reason that we have scheduled a continuation of our public hearing on the budget. While I am proud of the work our staff and elected officials have done in drafting the proposed budget, there is still time for valued citizen input. We hope that you are able to attend the Public Hearing on the 2012 proposed City of Milton Budget on Tuesday Nov. 29th, 2011 at 6:30 pm. If you have questions or concerns about the proposed budget, please feel free to contact me directly.
2012 Budget Memo - Challenges
City of Milton 2012 Budget Info
Proposed 2012 Budget
Click here to view the budget documents and information for this year as well as prior years.
Citizen Survey & Strategic Planning Project
On June 19, 2007, the Common Council formally approved their Strategic Plan. Click Here to view the Plan. The Common Council also held a public hearing to gather additional public input on the draft Strategic Plan.
In 2004 the City initiated a Citizen Survey process in an effort to improve citizen satisfaction. The eventual goal of this process it to assist the City Council in making decisions that are in the interest of Milton's residents. In addition to a Citizen Survey, the City convened a Survey Review Team made up of City staff and several citizens. This Team recommended several citizen focus group be formed to review various issues in more depth. In June 2007 the City Council approved a prelimiary plan for the public to review. Final approval is expected later in the summer of 2007. This Strategic Plan will help lead and direct future decision making for the Council and staff.
Click on the items below to review information from the Citizen Survey and Strategic Planning Process:
Comprehensive Land Use Plan
The City uses a Comprehensive Land Use Plan to make decisions on City growth, transportation improvements, development location, and land uses. This plan was updated in 2005 and in 2008. Click on any of the items below to review information from the Comprehensive Land Use Plan.
Highway 26 / 59 Bypass Project
The State of Wisconsin is scheduled to complete construction on a bypass of State Highway 26 on the east side of Milton by 2014. As part of the project, State Highway 59 was re-alligned to the south in 2009. Below are several documents and links that provide updates and maps regarding this project. Anyone interested is welcome to stop in at City Hall for a close look at the project maps and plans.
Facade Improvement Program
For property owners and tenants in the Merchant Row Downtown Area (within TID #7) and Parkview Drive Downtown Area (Tid #8), the Community Development Authority has created a Facade Improvement Program. The program involves matching grants up to $5,000 for eligible facade improvement projects. For more information contact the City Administrator. Related documents can be viewed by clicking on any of the items below.
Click here for more information on the facade improvement program, include BEFORE and AFTER photos of completed projects.
City Organizational Chart
Click here to view a copy of the City of Milton Organizational Chart in PDF format.
Speaking Requests
The City Administrator welcomes and enjoys the opportunity to speak to community groups, school classes or other organizations. Please contact the City Administrator to discuss speaking arrangements. The City Administrator reserves the right to accept or deny speaking requests as he sees fit.
Newspaper Column Archive
The City Administrator occationally writes an informational column in the Milton Courier, Chamber of Commerce Newsletter or other publications. Click Here to view an archive of past columns. If you have a suggestion for a column topic you are welcome to contact the City Administrator.
Monthly Departmental Reports
Every month the general activities of each City department are summarized and provided to the City Council. This monthly report is also available for you to review on-line. Click here to view current and past issues of the monthly departmental report.
The City of Milton is a participant in the Janesville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). The MPO is an area-wide transportation planning organization. It carries out federally-mandated planning and programming requirements in order for the City to remain eligible for federal highway, bicycle and transit funds. City of Janesville Community Development Department staff coordinate the functions of the Janesville area MPO.
Annual administrative activities conducted by the MPO to maintain eligibility for federal funding include the transportation work program and budget, the six-year Transportation Improvement Program, and quarterly financial/progress reports. Other planning activities include transit studies, parking studies, and various traffic studies.
The work of the MPO is directed by a Policy Board which is advised by a Technical Advisory Committee. The Policy Board members are comprised of chief elected officials who include the Janesville City Council, Janesville City Manager, City of Milton Mayor, Chairpersons from the towns of Janesville, Harmony, LaPrairie, Milton, and Rock (or his/her designee), a member of Rock County Board of Supervisors, and a representive from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation District 1 office. The Technical Advisory Committee consists of City of Janesville planning and engineering staff, Rock County planning, town representatives, state DOT, City of Milton, and federal transportation representatives.
Interesting Links
Administrator's Bio
Jerry Schuetz was appointed City Administrator in November 2010. .jpg)
His prior service with the City of Milton includes having served as Police Chief from 2008-2010. Jerry was born in Oceanside City, New York, and moved to Middleton, Wisconsin, where he was raised, as a small child. Jerry attended college at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice in 1995. While attending college, Jerry began what ended up being a 17 year career in law enforcement, first serving as a uniformed police intern and then eventually a full-time police officer with the Village of Maple Bluff. After serving that community for three years, Jerry accepted employement with the City of Appleton Police Department, where he worked as a patrol officer, police school liaison, and sensitive crime investigator. While serving in Appleton, Jerry attended graduate school at the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh, where he graduated with an Masters in Public Administration in 2003. In June 2004, Schuetz was appointed Chief of Police for the City of Manawa. While serving in Manawa, Schuetz enrolled in a two-year program certification program at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, ultimately becoming a certified public manager in 2008. Jerry's hobbies include spending time with his wife Jen and their three children. He also enjoys running and physical exercise, as well as playing golf with his father and three brothers.