MILWAUKEE — Next year, Milwaukee County thinks spending will outpace revenue to the tune of $12 million. That budget gap is a problem that the county wants your help to solve.
There's a budget town hall meeting happening at the Washington Park Senior Center tomorrow (August, 18). Here's what you need to know, and why this meeting is important.
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley says the reality is that the cost of county services keeps going up but state aid is stagnant, and the ability to raise significant local revenue requires legislative approval. The result is that Milwaukee County is forced to start the budget-balancing process in the red.
The choices are to find new ways to bring in money or start cutting services. But Crowley warns, that cuts year after year, are not sustainable.
"What people may not know is that since 2012 we have literally cut $30 million every year from our Milwaukee county budget and we are in a position where cuts are no longer sustainable. We're going to have to cut major programs that people rely on," Crowley said.
The county has created an online tool called the Balancing Act where you are put in charge of spending and cutting.
For example, let's say you ride the bus every day and you want to see more money put toward improving transportation needs.
The tool allows you to see how much Milwaukee County currently spends on transit and how an increase would affect the overall financial picture for the entire county.
Some of these programs have been kept alive by federal COVID relief money but that's not a long-term solution
"Because of CARES and ARPA we've been able to keep a lot of these programs going -- but within the next two years we need to find 40 Million dollars for the Milwaukee County transit system just to be able to keep up with the current level of services," Crowley said.
Crowley thinks a local option sales tax is the best way forward but it would require approval from the state legislature.
If you use and enjoy resources in Milwaukee County, like the parks system or the transit system, Crowley is encouraging residents to take this opportunity to raise their voices. Because if certain county resources don't get funding, some big changes could on the way.
You've got four opportunities to check out a budget town hall before the end of the month. Register to attend by clicking here.
Washington Park Senior Center
4420 W. Vliet St., Milwaukee
Thursday, Aug. 18 at 5:30 p.m.
Oak Creek City Hall
8040 S. 6th St., Oak Creek
Monday, Aug. 22 at 5:30 p.m.
Virtual Budget Town Hall
Tuesday, Aug. 23 at 11:30 a.m.
Kosciuszko Community Center
2201 S. 7th St., Milwaukee
Wednesday, Aug. 24 at 5:30 p.m.
