Scott Manske has held the job of appointed Milwaukee County controller for 19 years, but if he wants to keep it, he’ll have to run for the new elected comptroller position.

But the county hasn’t decided the precise duties, salary or size of the comptroller’s staff. With only about three weeks left for candidates to gather 500 signatures and formally file to run for the position in the April election, the pressure is on for Manske – or any other potential candidates – to make a move.

Manske said he is considering running and would have a decision this week.

So far, no one has filed a declaration of candidacy for a position that County Executive Chris Abele and other advocates of creating the elective post said was essential to righting the county’s shaky finances.

“This is a critical position for the county,” said Supervisor Joe Sanfelippo. The pay for the job “will dictate the quality and caliber of the type of people we can expect to run for this position.”

Other supervisors called it “weird” and “bizarre” that those details hadn’t been worked out.

“There’s so much that’s unknown about this,” said Supervisor Theo Lipscomb, a critic of the new law that created the elected comptroller.

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