Milwaukee County Comptroller

Progressive Bridget Maniaci Announces Democratic Primary Bid for Wisconsin State Representative

‘Red Flags’ Abound in Suspicious $450 Million County Health Contract

Board members blindsided by massive contract. Attorneys warn of 'catastrophic risk.'

Report Says Bad Times Just Beginning For Milwaukee County

A report by the Wisconsin Policy Forum says budget cuts in 2026 likely to continue in successive years.

Emails Reveal MCTS Officials Concealed Budget Deficit From Comptroller, County Board

MCTS planned to keep elected officials in the dark about its finances.

Transit Union Gives Leader Strike Authority

MCTS is facing a budget deficit, political blowback and, now, labor unrest.

Budget Deficit Fallout Grows, Head of MCTS Resigns

Transit system CEO is second official to resign since surprise deficit announcement.

Transit Union Will Call Strike Vote

Union blindsided by budget deficit while negotiating next three-year contract.

County Transportation Director Resigns

Donna Brown-Martin resigns after shocking MCTS budget deficit revealed.

After Shocking Budget Shortfall, County Orders Up MCTS Audit

County executive, board and comptroller all caught off guard by $11 million deficit.

Zepecki Launches Campaign for Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair

“My top priorities are strengthening our party to more effectively stand up to Trump and win elections while ensuring we emerge from this process united.”

2024 Wrap: County Executive David Crowley Reflects on 2024 Accomplishments

Crowley’s 2025 Budget Avoids Service Cuts

With a 2.8% property tax hike and more funding for Sheriff's office, CRC and court security.

County Officials Close 2024 Budget Gap

Board approves funding package closing $19 million gap. But a new challenge awaits for 2025 budget.

Milwaukee County Board Approves Crowley Proposal to Balance 2024 Budget Without Additional Costs for Taxpayers

Crowley Proposal to Balance 2024 Milwaukee County Budget Passes Finance Committee

Low Sales Tax Collections Spell Trouble for County

Low sales tax collections could drive county budget deficit into double digits by end of year.

MCTS Adds 28 New Buses

But it's still not enough for the system's aging fleet.

Supervisors Grudgingly Approve Raises for Sheriff’s Deputies

County Board unanimously approves new contract with sheriff's deputy union, but wants overtime under control.

Liz Sumner Wins County Comptroller Race

Two-term county supervisor will replace longtime comptroller Scott Manske.

Meet the Candidates for County Office

And read the analysis of each race and bios for each candidate.

Meet the Candidates for County Office

And read the analysis of each race and bios for each candidate.

County Budget Woes Expected To Return Next Year

Despite new sales tax, county likely to have to cut positions and programs.

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson Endorses Liz Sumner for Milwaukee County Comptroller

David Crowley Endorses Liz Sumner for Comptroller

Second Candidate Joins Race for County Comptroller

Capital Midwest Fund partner Michael Harper will run against Sup. Liz Sumner.

Anne O’Connor Running for North Shore County Board Seat

O'Connor is co-founder of Bay Bridge, an advocacy organization focused on racism and segregation.

Liz Sumner Announces Endorsements From Over a Dozen County Officials

Sup. Liz Sumner Thanks Comptroller Manske for Decades of Service to Milwaukee County

Comptroller Manske Won’t Seek Reelection

A county employee since 1992, Manske became the county's first elected financial officer in 2011.

Supervisor Coggs-Jones and Vice Chair Taylor Hosting Town Hall Meeting on Proposed Sales Tax Increase

What Strings Are Attached to Sales Tax Law?

State law enabling sales tax hike mandates new policies, though some won't change much.

Supervisors Holding Town Halls on Sales Tax

Four town halls scheduled this month

Crowley Calls Sales Tax Hike A ‘Lifeline’

County executive urges adoption to stave off 'catastrophic' wipe out of many county services.

County Comptroller Could Get $1 Million Backdrop

Or about $700,000 if Scott Manske is not reelected for another four years.

Special Public Hearing Scheduled On County Sales Tax Increase

Meeting will give residents opportunity to speak directly to supervisors about potential sales tax increase.

Liz Sumner Announces Candidacy for County Comptroller

Supervisor plans run for county's chief financial officer.

Liz Sumner Announces Candidacy for Milwaukee County Comptroller

16 Bus Routes Could Be Cut By 2025

Budget cuts could slash 45% of all bus routes and 20% of bus service, MCTS warns.

Assembly Republicans Have Plan To Help Milwaukee, Will It Work?

Proposal would increase shared revenue and enable sales tax for Milwaukee, with strings attached.

MCTS Launches #SaveTheBus Campaign

Transit system raising awareness of its impending budget crisis.

County’s Financial Forecast Gets Grimmer

County falls short by more than $100 million in new five-year outlook by comptroller.

Bus Route Cuts Coming in 2023

Final 2023 county budget cut millions from MCTS funding, causing reductions in service.

Referendums Show Local Government Funding Challenges

While state aid remains stagnant, localities across Wisconsin seek property tax hikes.

Chairwoman Nicholson and Supervisor Martin Commend Public Participation at Annual Public Hearing

Staff Shortage Limits Airport’s Rebound

Demand is way up since pandemic, but airline capacity an issue for Mitchell International Airport.

Museum, Forensic Center Will Cost County $161 Million

Projects will increase county debt burden by 23%, greatly increasing county's fiscal woes.

Transit System Will Continue to Shrink

Budget cuts beginning in 2023 will soften landing from transit system's fiscal cliff.

County Would Raise Tax Levy For Forensic Science Center

County would exceed property tax limits to pay back $107 million in debt for new forensic center and public museum.

Crowley Introduces 2023 Budget Laden With ‘Tough Decisions’

Budget increases parks, other departments funding, but shows that cuts are on the horizon.

Johnsons Park To Be Renamed

Or actually expanded, to include first names of the park's current namesakes.

Task Force Rejects ARPA Funding for Domes

Supervisors want to use $19 million in pandemic stimulus funds to begin fixing Mitchell Park Domes.

County Bus System Up By 1 Million Rides

MCTS hits 8.4 million rides this year, a big increase, but still far behind pre-pandemic levels.

Crowley Vetoes Downtown Roller Rink

Roller rink in Red Arrow Park won't happen this summer, but idea may not be dead.

County Must Decide On North-South BRT

Project could be transformative, but $148 million price tag nearly twice that of East-West BRT.

Cost of Youth Offenders Keeps Rising

Number sent to costly state prisons nearly doubled since March, imperiling county's alternative youth justice programs.

Domes Project Returns to Reality

$66 million plan to fix domes, redevelop Mitchell Park is shot down, leaving the facility's future a question mark.

No Good Options For County Transit

Facing huge shortfall, MCTS can only balance budget with harmful or unpopular changes, report finds.

Crowley Signs Paid Parental Leave Bill

Bill expected to have small fiscal impact and big payoff for families and social equity.

County Faces Drastic Budget Decisions

County is short $87 million over the next five years, could force massive cuts in service.

Board Okays $45 Million for New Museum

With little discussion, a 14-4 vote for $45 million in bonds and likely property tax increase.

Will Museum Drop ‘Public’ From Name?

Attorney says maintaining a 'public museum' is a financial necessity. Museum officials say 'public' in name confuses people.

County Would Hike Property Taxes for Museum

Financially strapped county would spend up to $63 million over 15 years for new museum.

Board Will Consider Raise for Sheriff

Proposed raise, effective at start of next sheriff's term in 2023, may face board opposition.

County Pension Bonds Saved Up To $269 Million

Could the city use this financial mechanism to lower costs?

How Did County Finance $1.2 Billon Annual Budget?

The money comes from many sources, with only 25% coming from the property tax.

Board of Supervisor’s Public Hearing on 2022 Milwaukee County Budget to be Held Online, Nov. 1

Proposal Limits Cost of Jail Visits, Food

Sup. Clancy proposes free phone, video calls and limits on commissary charges for food.

Milwaukee County’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Task Force will launch on Aug. 12

Committee will kick off effort to seek community feedback and build recommendations to strategically allocate $183.6 million in federal funding

Chairwoman Nicholson Proposal Creating ARPA Task Force Adopted by County Board

Committee Reviews Mental Health Emergency Center Plan

New facility in central city location partnering county with major health care providers.

Crowley Budget Advances Equity Goals

$1.2 billion budget down slightly, with less for capital spending, parks and Sheriff's office.

Convention Center District Authorizes $420 Million Expansion, Raises Hotel Tax

District still aiming for 2023 opening even though bonds can't be sold.

Voces de La Frontera Mobilizing Voters

Effort for 2020 builds on 2016, when it recruited 5,600 Latinx voters, 67% of them new voters.

Public Likes Domes Plan

They want to save the Domes, as does county board. But can officials move quickly enough?

Bus Union Authorizes a Strike

The union votes no on MCTS' final contract offer, gives leadership power to call strike.

Bus Union’s Budget Claims Disputed

Its claim that MCTS has big annual surpluses misrepresents the budget, comptroller says.

County Launches Investigation Into Former Register Of Deeds

John La Fave retired after his office was raided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Norquist Bashes Inspector General Idea

Council wants its own watchdog. Former mayor says post is unnecessary.

Wisconsin Center District Announces New Board

The board will hold its first meeting on Friday, September 21 at the Wisconsin Center.

Audit Finds Staffing Problems at County Jail

And at House of Correction. Both facilities consistently understaffed for 22 months.

The House Where Addicts Die

Five overdose deaths in eight months at a West Side transitional living center.

Milwaukee County Board Chairman Requests $20 Million in Austerity Measures

Proposal Would Slash Funding for Parks, Public Safety, Transit, Senior Centers, and Workforce Development

County Executive Abele Announces New Dedicated Revenue for County Parks and Transportation in 2018 Budget

Public Input Received Through Engage MKE Initiative Prioritizes New Revenue Over Service Cuts

Menomonee Valley Lacks Transit

Valley's employers have transit needs similar to suburbs, study says.

Goodbye to MCTS Free Ride

County begins charging for controversial GO Pass program in June.

Milwaukee County Fixes GO Pass

Fees and new requirements for free ride program with huge cost overruns.

Supervisors to Consider External Investigations of In-Custody Deaths

Milwaukee County Board expected to vote Thursday on establishing policy.

Broad Community Support for County Executive Abele’s Transit Plan

Independent fiscal experts sounding the alarm that Milwaukee County’s transit system is in trouble.

Is Free Pass Bleeding County Transit?

Controversial free GO Pass for seniors and disabled costs millions, awaits new report.

Could Abele Sell County Parks?

Abele says he won’t, but state law allows sale of 43 parks. Supervisors move to bar this.

Supervisor Taylor Not Schocked That Taxpayers Were Deceived About Additional Costs of Recently Approved Living Wage Ordinance

Supervisor Steve F. Taylor today expressed his extreme dissatisfaction with and voted against a resolution that provides funding for three staff positions at the Milwaukee County Comptroller's Office.

Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors Unveils Countywide Governement Reform Initiative

“OUR Milwaukee County” Aimed at Comprehensive, Inclusive and Local Government Reform

County Board 2013 Budget Blast: Nov. 5, 2012

The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors, under the leadership of Chairwoman Marina Dimitrijevic, has adopted the 2013 Budget today.

County Board 2013 Budget Blast: October 31, 2012

The Milwaukee County Board’s Finance, Personnel & Audit Committee is holding a series of budget hearings throughout October on the County Executive’s 2013 Recommended Budget.

An Open Letter to the Residents of Milwaukee County

It’s time to set the record straight and, once again, to call on the Milwaukee County Executive to focus on collaboration.

County/City Parks Patrol Plan Will Save More than $5 Million Over Three Years

A just released analysis of the proposed Parks Patrol Plan between Milwaukee County and the City of Milwaukee shows that County taxpayers will save more than $5 million over three years.