Nik Kovac is the City of Milwaukee budget director. He was an alderman on the Milwaukee Common Council until 2022. First elected in 2008, Kovac represented the city’s East Side, Riverwest, and a portion of downtown.
Official Council Biography
Nik Kovac was born and raised on Milwaukee’s East Side. He proudly attended Milwaukee Public Schools—from McDowell Montessori School to Golda Meir Elementary School, and Jackie Robinson Middle School through Riverside High School. While at Riverside, he earned more than 20 college credits from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.
Attending Harvard University and graduating cum laude with a degree in mathematics, Alderman Kovac worked to become a beat reporter and then a newspaper editor in New York City. He returned to Milwaukee to work for the Shepherd Express and Riverwest Currents. He continues to write pieces for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Since April 2008, he has been the Alderman for Milwaukee’s 3rd District, which includes the Brady Street neighborhood and the East Side, home to the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee Campus and Riverwest neighborhoods. The district also includes many of the city’s artists and art institutions.
At City Hall he serves as the Chair of the Capital Improvements Committee, Vice-Chair of the Finance & Personnel Committee and as an influential member of the Licenses Committee. Alderman Kovac’s work extends outside City Hall and throughout his district as Chair of the East Side Architectural Review Board and as a member of the Milwaukee Arts Board, the Milwaukee Public Library Board of Trustees, the Milwaukee County Federated Library Board, the Park East Advisory Committee and the Riverside University High School Foundation Board of Directors. As a proud stockholder for the Green Bay Packers football club and a resident of Riverwest, Alderman Kovac hosts a weekly radio show, Packerverse, on Riverwest’s Community Radio Station.
These rich experiences in the district have taught him the positive influence that active, engaged artists and citizens can have on the local economy, a sense of community, neighborhood beautification, and the city’s social memory.
Content referencing Nik Kovac - Page 3
Pattern and practice of potential police misconduct warrants federal investigation
Joint Statement from members of the Common Council
Oct 10th, 2012 by Press Release
Common Council members call for County to codify changes in Medical Examiner’s procedures
Several Council members met with the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office on Friday (Sept. 28) to discuss concerns related to the Derek Williams case.
Oct 2nd, 2012 by Milwaukee Common Council
Neighborhood Town Hall set for TONIGHT
Milwaukee Alderman Nik Kovac invites residents to share concerns and hear from local officials at a Neighborhood Town Hall meeting this evening (Tuesday, October 2).
Oct 2nd, 2012 by Nik Kovac
Citizens still waiting for answers about illegal strip searches
Other Council members and I have recently been directing our efforts toward learning more about the tragic death in police custody of Derek Williams, and seeking justice for him.
Oct 1st, 2012 by Ald. Milele Coggs
Joint statement from Alderman Nik Kovac, Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs, Alderman José G. Pérez and Alderman Ashanti Hamilton
Today’s announcement that Pierce Elementary School and La Escuela Fratney have been chosen as GE Foundation Demonstration Schools is great news.
Oct 1st, 2012 by Milwaukee Common Council
Statement from Mayor Tom Barrett Concerning the Public Service Commission Ruling on the Milwaukee Streetcar Project
We agree with comments made by two of the three Public Service Commission (PSC) members that the Streetcar project is an exercise of the City’s police power, and that it is a benefit to the public’s health, safety and welfare.
Sep 27th, 2012 by Tom Barrett
U.S. Attorney’s insight needed in Williams death investigation
We are respectfully requesting that the office of the U.S. Attorney conduct an investigation into the case of Derek Williams, who died last year while in the custody of Milwaukee police.
Sep 27th, 2012 by Milwaukee Common Council
Neighborhood Town Hall set for Tuesday
Milwaukee Alderman Nik Kovac invites residents to share concerns and hear from local officials at a Neighborhood Town Hall meeting the evening of Tuesday, October 2nd 2012.
Sep 25th, 2012 by Nik Kovac
Council members set for NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner
The theme of this year’s event is “Reform, Restore, Refocus: Your Power, Your Decision-VOTE.”
Sep 14th, 2012 by Press Release
Tragedy in Oak Creek
Joint Statement from Members of the Common Council
Aug 6th, 2012 by Milwaukee Common Council
City health benefits now cover all families
The Common Council voted Tuesday to extend health and dental benefits eligibility to registered domestic partners of city retirees and to the children of all registered domestic partners.
Jul 25th, 2012 by Milwaukee Common Council
Common Council approves Milwaukee Jobs Act initiative
The Common Council today approved creation of the Milwaukee Jobs Act -Transitional Jobs Program – a multifaceted effort to create employment opportunities for city young people and job seekers from areas of the city that have been particularly hard-hit economically.
Jul 24th, 2012 by Milwaukee Common Council
Bike-sharing program pedals to Public Works Committee
The Public Works Committee will discuss a resolution Wednesday (July 11) to create a bicycle-sharing program in Milwaukee that if approved could start up in spring 2013.
Jul 9th, 2012 by Ald. Bob Bauman
Neighborhood walk-through Thursday
Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs will be having a joint neighborhood walk-through to address neighborhood safety concerns with Alderman Nik Kovac on Thursday, July 5, starting at 2 p.m.
Jul 3rd, 2012 by Ald. Milele Coggs
Neighborhood walk-through Thursday
Alderman Nik Kovac will be having a joint neighborhood walk-through to address neighborhood safety concerns with Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs on Thursday, July 5, starting at 2 p.m. outside Club Timbuktu, 520 E. Center St.
Jul 3rd, 2012 by Nik Kovac
Gordon Park July 4th Independence Day Celebration
Make plans to attend tomorrow’s fun and festivities at Gordon Park at N. Humboldt Blvd. and E. Locust St.
Jul 3rd, 2012 by Ald. Milele Coggs
Festival & street closure information from Alderman Nik Kovac
The 12th Annual East Side Summer Soulstice Music Festival will take place Saturday, June 23 from noon to midnight(music ends at 11 p.m.).
Jun 22nd, 2012 by Nik Kovac
Watching the Watchdog – Joint Statement from Members of the Common Council
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s recent investigations into the police department have misled the public about important facts relevant to the safety of our community.
Jun 22nd, 2012 by Milwaukee Common Council
