Board Welcomes a New Day, Adopts 2024 Budget

MILWAUKEE – Today, Thursday, November 9, 2023, the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors adopted the 2024 Milwaukee County Budget [17-1]. Supervisors engaged with residents across the County, incorporating feedback from the public to build upon County Executive David Crowley’s recommended budget and endorsing an amended budget that embodies a strong community focus.

Chairwoman Nicholson issued the following statement upon the budget’s approval:

“The long-term solutions propelled by the County Board position us to save and invest in services that our constituents rely on. Through collaborative efforts with Supervisors, constituents, and the community, we have adopted a budget that amplifies the voices and addresses the needs of the people we represent” 

“By keeping to our guiding principles of racial equity, collaboration, and long-term sustainability, this budget lifts our commitment to shaping a healthier, more equitable, and vibrant Milwaukee County. Dedication to these values makes Milwaukee County a better place for all to live and thrive.” 

Key amendments adopted by the County Board during budget deliberations increased investments in housing, transit, public safety, health and human services, parks, criminal justice reform, and cultural institutions.

After listening to residents at the Board’s public hearing, Chairwoman Nicholson, was one of a dozen Supervisors who sponsored Amendment 42 which was passed unanimously by the Board. The amendment works to uphold dignity, independence, and inclusion by allocating over $1 million for accessible on-demand paratransit and $2 million for affordable housing in the Concordia 27 development, addressing housing insecurity in Milwaukee’s Near West Side. This collaborative budget amendment also directs the Parks Department to explore in-sourcing the soon-to-be vacant Starbucks location at Red Arrow Park, including offering in-house concessions like South Shore Park and skate rentals for all seasons.

The 2024 Adopted Budget sets the Milwaukee County property tax levy at $291,434,132, representing a 6.87% decrease from the 2023 tax levy.

The Adopted Budget is now sent to the desk of the County Executive for approval. If the County Executive issues any vetoes, the Board will convene at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 16, 2023 to consider them.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.