Milwaukee County Board Finance Chair Johnson Jr. Responds to Wisconsin Policy Forum’s 2025 Budget Report

MILWAUKEE – The Wisconsin Policy Forum (WPF) released an analysis of the recommended 2025 Milwaukee County budget, which provides a comprehensive overview of the County’s fiscal challenges and opportunities going forward.

Supervisor Willie Johnson, Jr., Chair of the Milwaukee County Finance Committee, emphasized the significance of the report’s findings, stating:

“Our partnerships at the local, state, and federal levels are essential in building a sustainable and equitable foundation for Milwaukee County services. The WPF report serves as an important reminder that we must continue to push forward with diligence and strategic investment to ensure that vital services like transit, parks, and housing remain accessible. As we prepare to tackle the challenges ahead, we must engage our intergovernmental partners and advocate for the necessary resources to support a thriving community.”

The WPF report highlights an impending ‘fiscal cliff’ for transit in Milwaukee County, meaning residents could see cuts to bus routes or fare increases without an influx of additional revenue sources or reductions from other departments to cover transit costs.

The Milwaukee County Board deliberations on the 2025 budget have already begun in the Committee on Finance this month, with a focus on ensuring racial equity and sustainability with community engagement throughout the process.

As part of the ongoing 2025 budget process, the Milwaukee County Board’s Finance Committee has been actively receiving budget testimony from County departments. Additionally, many Supervisors have hosted town hall meetings in their districts to hear directly from residents about their priorities for the upcoming year.

The Board will hold its annual public hearing on the budget on Monday, October 28, 2024, at 6:30 p.m., at the Zoofari Center, where community members are invited to participate in person or virtually. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m., and public participation is welcomed.

The Finance Committee is scheduled to review and consider Supervisor budget amendments on October 24, October 25, and November 1, with the full Board set to vote on the final adoption of the 2025 budget on November 7 at 9:30 a.m. The meeting will take place in Room 200 of the Milwaukee County Courthouse and will be live streamed on the County Legislative Information Center.

The full report is available to the public on the Wisconsin Policy Forum’s website.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.