Milwaukee County’s human resources leader is resigning, but did not specify why she’s leaving her role.
Chief Human Resources Officer Margo Franklin announced her resignation to members of the county’s Board of Supervisors on April 22, after raising concerns related to possible misconduct or a criminal offense, which are under investigation. It’s not yet clear who or what is at the center of the investigation.
“After careful consideration, I’ve made the thoughtful decision to step away from this role and pivot my focus,” Franklin wrote in the email.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel requested a copy of her official resignation letter on April 23. But a spokesperson with the Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley’s Office said that letter is considered a relevant document in an ongoing investigation related to “concerns” Franklin had raised prior to her resignation.
The spokesperson cited a Wisconsin statute that allows withholding of employee personnel records in cases that involve information relating to a “current investigation of a possible criminal offense.”
Franklin could not immediately be reached for comment.
The spokesperson said Franklin’s resignation was “a personal decision” and unrelated to a recent blunder that members of her department played a role in.
In late January, an employee under Franklin blindsided supervisors with news that the county’s health care administration contract had lapsed, briefly placing thousands of employees’ benefit administration at risk.
Within days, supervisors approved a new contract, but not without much discussion on who was responsible. Crowley’s office subsequently terminated the employee under Franklin who had handled the contract with United Healthcare. And in public meetings, supervisors also grilled Franklin about her lack of oversight.
Franklin told supervisors on Feb. 5 she took accountability for the situation, but emphasized that it is not her job to do the job of her employees.
The incident led supervisors to approve an audit of other recent benefits contracts negotiated by the terminated employee and broadly assess the division’s contracting process on March 19.
The County Executive’s Office said Franklin’s resignation was not related to that audit, which is ongoing, and that Crowley wishes Franklin well in her next endeavor.
It is not clear whether the concerns Franklin raised are related to the contract lapse or the audit.
Franklin has worked for the county since 2018 and spent two years as Director of Employee and Labor Relations before she served as Chief Human Resources Officer between 2020 and 2026.
Her last day with the county will be May 1. Franklin’s current annual compensation is $169,187.
“It has been an honor to serve Milwaukee County and to work in partnership with each of you to support the County’s mission, vision, and strategic priorities,” Franklin wrote to supervisors.
“A commitment to public service has guided my work, and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute in this capacity. During my tenure, I am proud of the meaningful work we have advanced to strengthen the County’s workforce and modernize human resources practices. These efforts and successes would not have been possible without your strong support and collaboration,” she said.
Contact Claudia Levens at clevens@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X at @levensc13.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee County head of HR resigns after raising concerns under investigation
Reporting by Claudia Levens, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
