Milwaukee County HR director fired following lapse in health insurance contract

February 3, 2026 - 04:45

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley has terminated the employment of the county's Human Resources director following a significant administrative failure that left the county's health insurance contract temporarily lapsed. The dismissal comes after an internal investigation into how the county's vital contract with UnitedHealthcare expired without renewal last year.

The lapse, though ultimately rectified, created a period of uncertainty regarding coverage for thousands of county employees and their families. While no gaps in actual employee coverage were reported, the error represented a serious breach of administrative protocol and risk management.

In a statement, Crowley emphasized that accountability at the leadership level is paramount. The decision to fire the HR director underscores the administration's stance on the severity of the oversight. The county has since implemented new safeguards and procedural checks to prevent a similar contractual lapse from occurring in the future. The search for a permanent replacement to lead the Human Resources department will begin immediately, with an interim director expected to be appointed to ensure continuity of operations.