Dennis Yaccarino

City Faces Problems With 911 Call Center?

Millions spent, repeated delays and hours of closed door meetings suggest a problem launching system.

Special Election Called For Kovac’s Seat

Veteran alderman is now the city budget director. Primary would be on August 9

Committee Backs Kovac For Budget Director

A unanimous vote for alderman, whose resignation is expected to occur May 9.

Mayor Selects Alderman Nik Kovac to Serve as Budget Director

Ald. Kovac Named Budget Director, Will Resign Council Seat

Kovac has represented the East Side and Riverwest since 2008.

City Braces For More Lawsuit Settlements

Unusual number of claims by this early in the year. City may transfer $850,00 into settlements account.

Federal Grant Could Help Stave Off 1,300 Layoffs

But only for a couple years. Milwaukee still needs state help.

Workers Seeking Raises Find Open Ears, Empty Pockets

Pension cliff and stagnant wages are pushing city toward a 'tipping point.'

City Boosts 911 Operator Pay By 26%

Milwaukee dealing with staffing shortage as call volume grows, system overhaul looms.

Dimitrijevic’s Parental Leave Policy Passed

Council votes 10-2 in favor, but measure reduced from 12 to six weeks paid leave.

City Taps TIF For Affordable Housing

TIF district for northside factory overperforms expectations, so DCD will use surplus funds for affordable housing.

Johnson Ceremonially Sworn In As Mayor

Milwaukee's acting mayor hosts a ceremony of pomp and circumstance to tell his story.

County Pension Bonds Saved Up To $269 Million

Could the city use this financial mechanism to lower costs?

Milwaukee Adopts ‘Calm Before The Storm’ 2022 Budget

No fee increases and small tax increase as city bolsters pension reserve fund in anticipation of fiscal cliff.

Committee Recommends Few Budget Amendments

No fee increases and few changes as council braces for next year's fiscal cliff.

City Faces Shortage of Garbage Truck, Snowplow Drivers

Milwaukee raising starting pay by $5,400.

Council Strikes Deal On How To Spend $179 Million ARPA Allocation

Housing, lead abatement, child care, police recruits, violence prevention, a new MLK library and more.

Common Council Has 7 Times The Ideas As It Has Funding

82 ideas for how to spend $394.2 million federal grant. What will council choose?

Homicides, Shootings, Auto Thefts All At Record Highs

MPD Acting Chief Jeffrey Norman presents vision of community-centered approach to solving issues.

12 Options to Solve Milwaukee’s Fiscal Crisis

Nine are bad says alderman. Without solution Milwaukee would need to cut one-fourth of workforce.

2022 Assessment Process Could Be Chaotic

Top staffers departing, number of 2020 appeals still pending, hot real estate market, no assessments in 2021.

Committee OK’s ARPA Funding for Ambulances, Reckless Driving and Eviction Prevention

Finance & Personnel Committee recommends spending $14 million of city's $394 million ARPA allocation.

City Could Lose 40% of ARPA Funds to Revenue Recovery

Funds would go towards plugging revenue shortfalls, not generational investments.

2022 City Budget Process Kicks Off

Several chances for citizens to learn about budget, as city braces for nearly impossible 2023 budget.

$98 Million Plan Targets Lead Poisoning

Proposal addressing lead poisoning of children backed by the Coalition on Lead Emergency.

Plan To Renovate Every City-Owned Home Gains Traction

Council now embraces Bauman proposal. Barrett's plan will include elements of it.

Mayor Backs $15 Minimum Wage For City Workers

More than 400 city employees would get a raise under Barrett's proposal.

Mayor Creates Pension Crisis Task Force

City needs to find an additional $77 million annually starting in 2023.

Stimulus Funds Won’t Cancel Streetlighting Fee

Sorry taxpayers, money from fee can't be replaced by pandemic aid, federal rules say.

Pension Costs Will Cause Huge Worker Layoffs

One-sixth of city workforce projected for cuts by 2026, with added cuts in future years.

City Must Decide How To Spend $405 Million

Latest federal COVID-19 stimulus plan creates pleasant challenge for mayor, council.

City To Get $17.6 Million Federal Rent Assistance Grant

COVID-19 relief funds meant to prevent homelessness, reduce pandemic's spread.

New 911 Call Center Aims For Speed

City system promises faster pickups, fewer dropped calls, ability to dispatch based on officer location.

What Can City Do About Pension Crisis?

Milwaukee must find at least $90 million annually starting in 2023. All options are on the table.

Municipal Court Firing Debt Collector

Duncan Solutions being dropped less than a year after deal started.

Council Sets Conditions For COPS Grant

Committee proposes 7 conditions for police department in order for city to accept federal grant.

Council Delays on Federal COPS Grant

Would fund 30 positions, prevent more police reductions, but presents future fiscal issues.

Council Overrides One of Two Barrett Vetos

Veto of added funding for lead abatement program was overriden on 11-4 vote.

Barrett Issues Two Budget Vetoes

Mayor targets funding source for lead abatement, neighborhood watch programs.

$1.6 Billion Adopted Budget Raises Fees, Cuts Police

City's fiscal challenges continue to mount under state restrictions, rising costs.

Budget Amendment Would Move Milwaukee Towards “Vision Zero”

Proposal start of an effort to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries.

Committee Approves Over 20 Amendments To Milwaukee Budget

Amendments target violence prevention, housing, lead abatement and more.

Almost Half of Budget Amendments Are Policy Footnotes

Footnotes call for a racial equity audit, benches in vacant lots, lead-safe property database and much more.

City Could Lose 30 More Police Officers

Federal grant rules could mean cutting 30 more than proposed cut of 120 cops.

Municipal Court Attendance Way Up

Huge reduction in no shows in Zoom era. Even a court appearance from Saudi Arabia.

Should Milwaukee Stop The Hop?

Alderman proposes this, but suspending the service might cost more than it saves.

About That Proposed Street Lighting Fee

Average homeowner fee is $45 per year so city could replace 100-year-old circuitry

Night Parking Rules a Tax on the Poor?

Or good public policy? Reinstating night parking is a $13 million question for city.

Why Defunding Police Is Tough To Sell

Minneapolis politicians are abandoning the idea. What will happen in Milwaukee?

Milwaukee’s Bond Rating Cut Two Levels

Change in rating by S&P Global will raise cost to borrow money, add to city's budget woes.

Virtual Town Hall Meeting to Focus on 2021 City Budget, City Services

City Made $8.6 Million Debt Mistake

Past Comptroller blamed. Mistake equivalent to all the salaries of health department staff.

120 Officer Cut May Be Just The Beginning

The Milwaukee Police Department will have fewer officers in 2021, but the question is how many?

Budget Testimony Includes Repeated Ask For $75 Million Police Cut

Two-thirds of those that testified at preliminary budget hearing want funds to go towards health, housing.

Budget Process Kicks Off On Wednesday

Virtual hearing Wednesday, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Mayor will outline city's financial situation.

Milwaukee Police Gobble Up City Budget

MPD got 62 cents of every new city budget dollar over last ten years.

Feds Won’t Cover $1.6 Million Hazard Pay

Changing guidance leaves Milwaukee holding the bag for COVID-19-related bonus.

How Many Fewer Cops With A 10% Cut?

The number is smaller than 375 officers the Police Department claims, but how much smaller?

Council Proposes 10% Police Budget Cut

11 council members back $30 million cut and investing in other programs.

Suburbs’ Policies Ignore Science, Kowalik Charges

Suburban elected officials overruling health officers on COVID-19, city official charges.

City To Furlough, Cut Hours For 750 Employees

Revenue down $27 million in pandemic and city forced to make cuts.

Federal Policing Money Flowing to City

Relentless Pursuit grant, Tougher on Crime grant, DNC funding lead the list.

Milwaukee Seeking $50 Million To Pay for DNC Security

Federal grant covers costs of police and fire during convention. 4,000 police officers expected.

Council Cuts Police, Adopts $1.6 Billion Budget

Council wrestles with huge fiscal challenges due to rising police costs, declining state aid.

Street Safety Funding Passes Committee

DPW would get $1.2 million in new, dedicated funding for complete streets.

Proposal Would Fund Emergency Housing

City-owned properties would house displaced families, human trafficking victims. Plus: committee cuts Bublr funding.

Tax Hike Would Give City $50 Million Per Year

Barrett says proposed 1% sales tax hike would fund police, fire, streets, property tax relief.

Barrett Kicks Off 2020 Budget Process

Numbers are daunting. City between a rock and a hard place when it comes to finances.

Milwaukee Losing As Summerfest Safety Costs Grow Quickly

Long-term lease agreement means the city has eaten $4 million in costs since 2011.

Council Proposes 3% Raise for Employees Living in City

Proposal in response to Republican law ending city residency requirement.

City Will Borrow for Police Settlement

Milwaukee has borrowed many millions to pay off police legal settlements in last decade.

Council Adopts 2019 City Budget

Average homeowner will see $51.88 increase, no change in total fire and police officers.

Pay Hike for City Politicians Is On Hold

Ald. Chantia Lewis delays vote on 13.6% raise she and some other colleagues want. Mayor threatens veto.

Mayor Allows Interim Health Leader

Returns file to the council unsigned, opens door to approval of McManus.

Neighbors Fight for Brady St. Fire Station

But by the end of public meeting held by Ald. Kovac many seemed resigned to its loss.

Barrett Introduces Difficult 2018 Budget

Budget would raise taxes, cut public safety to grapple with state shared revenue reduction.