Milwaukee County is set to adopt its 2024 budget. Here's what to know
In a budget season full of investments — as opposed to cuts that dominated discussion in previous years — the Milwaukee County Board is set to approve the 2024 budget on Thursday.
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley announced his $1.36 billion recommended budget in late September that would decrease in the property tax levy by about $24 million, to almost $289 million. The levy — the total amount collected in property taxes — would decrease about 8% below the 2023 level.
The change in the county's financial picture comes after a local government funding deal passed in the state Legislature allowed the county to raise its sales tax to 0.9% from the previous 0.5% and to pull in an additional $82.2 million in shared revenue from the state.
"Dedicating funds to one-time cost as opposed to ongoing operations, we have an opportunity to maintain a positive fiscal position for an extended period of time," Crowley told supervisors ahead of budget adoption. "Proposed amendments to reduce one-time expenses in favor of ongoing operations will accelerate the return of our structural deficit."
But two amendments approved during the finance committee's third hearing could see the numbers change if the full board adopts it.
"The County Executive's budget remained within the county's self-imposed bonding cap. The board, to date, has approved amendments which would exceed the county's bonding cap by $4.1 million," County Budget Director Joe Lamers warned before supervisors approved the two amendments. "What that does is it adds to the property tax in future years with increases in interest payments to help support it."
Investments in Crowley's proposed budget
Some key elements of Crowley's proposed budget:
The transit tax levy would see an increase of $16 million. The tax levy would sustain current MCTS routes and prevent the department from hitting a fiscal cliff in 2025, as well as defer the use of the final lump of $13 million of federal relief funds until 2026, instead of 2024. Following major concerns about the safety of riders and bus operators, the proposed budget has a $1.3 million increase to enhance security.
An allocation of $50,000 for a feasibility study of a transit enhancement along Route 18, which runs between Milwaukee's downtown and the border of West Allis and Waukesha County. and would be the “next phase towards development of a rapid transit network.”
An additional allocation of $4 million in tax levy to support more affordable housing project options. About $12 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars will be fully allocated toward affordable housing, including 274 units across seven housing developments.
An additional $1.5 million for the county's homeless outreach team and Housing First model as added resources for the county's unsheltered populations.
$200,000 for housing vouchers for individuals released from the Community Reintegration Center — formerly known as the House of Correction.
The removal of phone charge commission revenue of $1.9 million from the Community Reintegration Center and the Milwaukee County Jail budget. Families have raised alarm bells about paying $5.1 million per year for calls with loved ones in the Milwaukee County Jail. This budgetary shift will provide 360 free minutes per month for phone calls — an increase from the currently allotted 120 minutes — and 60 free video visitation minutes per month.
A $2.6 million increase in the parks department operating budget to add 18 full-time employees as well as funding for seasonal staff.
A $1.6 million increase in pre-trial mental health services and service expansions to the Mental Health Treatment Court, the Veterans Treatment Court and the GPS service.
A proposed $170,000 would be allocated for aging populations, including caregiver services, transportation and senior center programming.
Funding for a 2% general wage increase, effective starting in January, for most general county employees. The budget also recommended an additional 1% wage increase for correctional officers, as well as an extra $400,000 to support correctional officer raises, advancements within the range, and/or longevity pay. Overall, correctional officers could see a 3% wage increase as early as January, if the proposed budget is adopted.
Public hearing raises calls for help for paratransit riders and bus drivers
Much like during last year's budget hearing and the lead-up to adoption day, many who provided testimony at the budget public hearing on Oct. 30 spoke of how cuts to the paratransit taxi service would affect many riders with disabilities countywide, as well as on-going concerns about safety on MCTS buses.
Joyce Jones, a bus operator with MCTS, who spoke at last year's public hearing appeared again, pleaded with supervisors to approve a transit ranger program that was not included in Crowley's budget proposal.
She previously told supervisors about how a rider spat in her face and a man busted the windshield of the bus with his bare hands.
"Why is it we can't have security — the rangers?" Jones said. "It's about being secure on the bus... being secure on the way to work."
Despite approval to extend funding for the paratransit taxi contract to address concerns from the paratransit community last year, the service was not included in the 2024 budget and ended on Sept. 28.
"I know it's crucial for our blind and low vision population," Cheryl Orgas, who has been blind since birth, told supervisors at the public hearing. "Without this service our economically disadvantaged, disabled citizens, particularly blind and low vision citizens will be paying a high price and that 's in health and in parenting and in basic needs."
Chairwoman, supervisors introduce amendments
At a committee meeting, Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson thanked Lamers for his warning that the last-minute omnibus would exceed the county's bonding cap by millions but urged supervisors to push for amendments that address on-going service concerns and pleas from the public.
"Do we want to rubber stamp a budget that was handed to us or do we want to invest in and impact some historical harms and disinvestments, after we finally created an additional revenue source where we can finally start to invest in our community?" Nicholson asked supervisors.
Some amendments in the package include:
Providing $250,000 for an external audit of Milwaukee County Jail operations aimed to reduce the number of in-custody deaths.
Requesting the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission to study comparable on-demand paratransit systems.
Requesting the Department of Transportation to develop paratransit options to support transportation to work and medical appointments for riders with disabilities. The County Board would provide about $1.2 million in a contingency account to implement recommendations submitted by the transit department.
Providing $150,000 to the Milwaukee County Courts pretrial services for the Mental Health Treatment Court as well as provide other resources for immigrant and other vulnerable populations accessing the court system.
Earmarking $2 million of a $4 million appropriation for affordable housing to the near west side Concordia 27 project.
Providing $500,000 in a contingency account in the Parks Department to pay for park enhancements.
The finance committee unanimously recommended the amendment package for adoption. Supervisors Sequanna Taylor, Steven Shea, Willie Johnson, Jr., Felesia Martin, Priscilla E. Coggs-Jones, Juan Miguel Martinez, Peter Burgelis, Caroline Gómez-Tom, Kathleen Vincent, Patti Logsdon and Ryan Clancy were listed as co-sponsors to the amendment.
Another amendment introduced would set aside $1.48 million in cash that was originally intended for South Shore Breakwater repairs for 11 infrastructure projects across the Milwaukee County parks system. If approved, the allocation would increase debt in the 2024 budget.
“This is a plethora of park project priorities across the county,” Burgelis told the finance committee. “It is targeted to constituent requests and neighborhood needs.”
The amendment was ultimately recommended for approval, 4-3, by the finance committee.
“We got a sales tax. We all know it,” said Supervisor Steve Taylor, who voted against the amendment's approval. “So, let’s not just start spending money like drunken sailors either.”
What happens next?
The County Board is scheduled to meet at 9:30 this morning to vote on the .
Final budget approval requires sign-off from Crowley.
Contact Vanessa Swales at 414-308-5881 or vswales@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @Vanessa_Swales.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee County is set to adopt its 2024 budget. Here's what to know
