Milwaukee County Board Adopts 2014 Milwaukee County Budget
No Increase in the Tax Levy; Invests in Public Safety and Mental Health Services
Without raising the tax levy, the Milwaukee County Board today passed a budget for 2014 that keeps open Noyes and Pulaski pools, funds important deferred maintenance, and invests in public safety and mental health services. The vote on the $1.3 billion budget was 14-4.
Approving most of the County Executive’s recommended budget, the Board also corrected errors in the proposal while providing additional services. The Board was presented an unbalanced proposal with several significant mistakes totaling $3 million. The legislative branch fixed that hole without raising the tax levy.
“The Board passed a responsible budget, one that restores public safety services, reduces fares for para-transit, and does not balance the budget on the backs of hard-working employees,” said Board Chairwoman Marina Dimitrijevic.
Dimitrijevic cited the investment in the City of Milwaukee’s ShotSpotter program as an example of intergovernmental cooperation that builds off last year’s sharing of emergency 911 services. “With ShotSpotter and the restoration of sworn law enforcement positions, Milwaukee County is investing in public safety services and aims to reduce gun violence in our parks and neighborhoods.”
“With this budget, we move forward with reforms to the mental health system and toward increased community placements, while still listening to doctors and medical health professionals. Our actions ensure there is a safety net to keep patients and staff secure while providing greater flexibility to the Behavioral Health Division,” Dimitrijevic said.
“This budget is the product of the board listening to the people. Residents contacted our offices and came to our public hearings and town hall meetings asking us to keep open Milwaukee County’s two indoor pools. Thanks to a generous contribution from Milwaukee County resident Stan Kass, we will make needed repairs and keep both Noyes and Pulaski Park pools open for residents of future generations to enjoy.”
“Today we held the line on taxes while providing enhanced services and amenities for the residents of Milwaukee County,” said Dimitirijevic.
The budget now goes to the County Executive for his signature. If the Executive vetoes portions of the adopted budget, the Board will meet on Thursday, November 21, 2013 to consider them.
“A budget is about setting priorities,” Dimitrijevic said. “The County Board has received great input from the citizens we represent on their vision of the County. Now is the time to come together and move our County forward.”
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.
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