Hudock Supports Part Time Mayor Position

Muskego mayoral candidate Luke Hudock issued a release today in which he stated his interest in revisiting the mayor's position as part-time.

Previously this issue came up during Mayor Charles Damaske's term, and was met with support through an advisory referendum.  However the common council had decided to keep the position as full time.

Hudock stated that in gathering salary information on the 48 most populous cities (excluding Milwaukee), he found the compensation came to an average of $1.57 for cities with a population of 20,000-30,000.  In comparison, Muskego, with a population of approximately 23,000, pays its mayor $2.87 per citizen.

"The position of Mayor in Muskego is greatly overcompensated when compared to other cities across the state, especially considering the current personnel Muskego employs," Hudock stated.

He also pointed to the fact that Muskego employs a Director of Finance and Administration (Sharon Mueller) on a full time basis.  Hudock said that in comparing other cities that have an equivalent position in their government, "the average mayoral salary in 2010 was $30,450. Muskego pays its mayor $66,473.

"If elected, I would work with the Common Council to support and promote the salary for the position of Mayor reduced by half and the position becoming part time as the people wish," Hudock continued.  "This would save the people of Muskego nearly $100,000 over the course of a single term..."

Kathy Chiaverotti, Hudock's opponent in the race, pointed out that the salary cannot be changed, and stated that she "is in support of a full time mayor's position.  The council has already voted on this issue, and it can't be changed for the next term, so as mayor I wouldn't be able to change this."

Chiaverotti also pointed out, "this isn't unusual for a candidate to suggest this."

Hudock explained that even though the salary is set through the next term, he would return half of his salary to the city if the position were to be part time.

He maintained that, given the financial difficulties facing every municipality, "there is simply no justification for having a full time administrator and a full time mayor collecting significant salaries."