Waukesha - Waukesha County Board leaders Monday recommended that the board stay its current 25-member size when new district maps are drawn this year to reflect the 2010 census changes.
But at least one supervisor - Peter Wolff of the Town of Delafield - said he'll try to get the full board to downsize itself to "probably 17" when the issue is taken up at next week's board meeting.
Wolff, who asked the Executive Committee to postpone action Monday for at least a month so downsizing could get a closer look, was soundly rebuffed.
Supervisor Patricia Haukohl of Brookfield took the sharpest tone.
"I'm trying to understand the motivation of what you're doing, Peter," she said. "Why are you doing this when we function so well?"
Later, without naming names, she suggested that "the ones who are always for this are the ones who come late and leave (county meetings) early." She asked County Board Chairman Jim Dwyer to provide information in the near future on absences and tardiness among supervisors.
Supervisor Jean Tortomasi of Waukesha, echoed Haukohl's statements. She said the 25-member structure is working well - seven standing committees with seven members each - and allows for good legislative oversight.
Having fewer members would require longer or more frequent meetings and prevent people like her - who still works elsewhere - from serving, she said. It would also further remove supervisors from their constituents.
"I don't want to make this a professional legislature," she said.
Both Tortomasi and Haukohl said they put in much time on their supervisory duties.
"I really work hard," Haukohl said. She asked Wolff, "How much more do you want us to do?"
Each supervisor represents 15,000 residents - the highest ratio of residents per supervisor and the lowest number of supervisors per capita out of 71 counties in Wisconsin where County Boards are part time, according to the resolution before the board. Supervisors are paid $9,536 a year.
Supervisor Duane Paulson of Waukesha said that larger districts will mean more expensive campaigns and could eliminate the "citizen legislature."
In an interview, Wolff said the objections he heard were similar to ones made when the County Board was reduced from 35 members to 25 in 2008.
A smaller board will require less in salary and benefits for supervisors as well as the office staff who support board members now, he said. In addition, he said he thinks a smaller legislative body is better at finding efficiencies and would better be able to cut spending.
He said he will attempt to amend the resolution - pegging the board's size to 19 or fewer members - at the 7 p.m. Feb. 22 County Board meeting.
The county expects to develop a proposed new supervisory district map based on new population estimates by about April 1. According to a tentative timetable, the County Board would adopt the tentative plan May 24, after which municipalities would draw ward boundaries.
A public hearing on a final map would be held in July or August, with final adoption in August or September.
Candidates for the next County Board based on the new districts will be nominated at the end of the year with elections in Spring 2012.