Alderwoman Coggs sponsors budget amendments aimed at improving services, supporting residents

The Milwaukee Common Council today (Friday, November 8) adopted an amended 2025 City of Milwaukee budget. In total, the Council passed 25 budget amendments, including several offered by lead sponsor Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs. Many of the amendments offered by Alderwoman Coggs are footnotes to the budget, which will require supporting Common Council action, and address timely issues facing many Milwaukee residents.

Among the budget amendments sponsored by Alderwoman Coggs adopted as part of the 2025 City budget are:

• A footnote directing the Innovation Director to semiannually report to the Common Council.
• A footnote directing the Department of Administration Budget & Management Division and the Comptroller’s Office to develop a fund balance policy and report it to the Common Council.
• A footnote directing the Department of Administration-Budget & Management Division and the Comptroller’s Office to develop quarterly reports on positions that were vacant as of Pay Period 1, 2025, including the date the position was filled, the money saved by leaving the position vacant, and how the salary savings were used.
• A footnote directing Department of Administration – Information Technology Management Division to work with all departments to determine additional ways that e-text could be used by the City.
• A footnote directing the Department of Administration – Office of Community Wellness and Safety to determine what resources the City Cop House and Community Hub programs need and how the city may help provide them.

• A footnote to the Fire and Police Commission Executive Director instructing the FPC to create a long-term recruitment plan for the Police and Fire Departments and report the plan to the Common Council.
• A footnote urging the Police Department to survey victims’ families regarding their experiences with the victim support resources provided to them and their experiences with victim specialists.
• Insert a footnote directing the Police Department to explore making Code Red a city-wide program and explore partnerships with businesses, entertainment districts, and Business Improvement Districts to create resources for Code Red Officers.
• A footnote to the Board of Zoning Appeals Administrative Manager instructing BOZA to better utilize e-notify to inform residents of activities in the neighborhood.
• A footnote to the Street Improvements – Sidewalks capital account instructing the Department of Public Works to examine the feasibility of creating a dedicated crew in DPW to address the backlog of requested scattered site walk replacements and report back to the Council.
• A footnote to the Bike Infrastructure Capital account instructing the Department of Public Works to work with relevant City departments, community groups and other resources to develop a promotional campaign for bicycling.
• A footnote instructing all departments to study the feasibility of having all the department’s resources and reporting available on the City Action app.
• A footnote instructing all departments to examine possible opportunities for internships or apprenticeships that could be developed in each department.

“During the budget process we must always be looking for ways in which we can reimagine areas of city service and generally do more with less,” said Alderwoman Coggs. “My hope is that these budget footnotes can serve as a guide for the city to become more creative, and improve overall efficiency and service delivery. I look forward to continuing these conversations when the Council takes up the corresponding legislation.”

All amendments to the 2025 City budget can be viewed here along with previous department presentations and other budget related information.

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.