Key Committees Recommend Adoption of Sales and Use Tax Resolution Authored by Chairwoman Nicholson

MILWAUKEE – Today, both the Committee on Personnel [5-0], as well as the Committee on Finance [4-3] voted to recommend the adoption of a resolution, authored by Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson, which amends Chapter 22 – Sales and Use Taxes of the Milwaukee County Code of General Ordinances to enact an additional 0.4% County sales and use tax effective January 1, 2024. Chairwoman Nicholson emphasized the importance of this legislation, stating:

“In order to avert devastating cuts to critical services like housing, human services, senior supports, transit routes, public safety, and parks and recreational facilities, it is necessary that we take action on the only option currently available that will provide the necessary revenue to prevent us from falling off a fiscal cliff.” said Chairwoman Nicholson “I’d like to thank both the Committee on Personnel, and the Committee on Finance for recommending for adoption this generational legislation after years of community engagement in Milwaukee, advocacy in Madison, and incredibly difficult cuts made to County departments.”  

This joint meeting took place following the Tuesday, July 11, 2023, meeting of the Milwaukee County Board Committee of the Whole, where Supervisors met to hear testimony from County departments and held a public hearing on this issue. 

This tax increase is projected to generate over $82.1 million in revenue for the county, providing resources to fund essential programs and services. 

The legislation also includes provisions to enroll new hires in the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) after December 31, 2024, and close the Employees’ Retirement System of the County of Milwaukee (ERS) to new hires. This move will ensure the long-term stability of the pension system while aligning with the highly regarded WRS, as recognized by the Pew Charitable Trusts. Chair of Personnel, Supervisor Willie Johnson Jr. made the following statement:  

“We have worked diligently to find solutions to our fiscal challenges, and the transition to the Wisconsin Retirement System is a significant step in the right direction,” said Supervisor Johnson “By embracing this change, we are demonstrating our commitment to the retirement security of our employees while managing costs effectively. Protecting the well-being of our workforce is of the utmost importance. This legislation does just that.” 

The approved legislation was made possible by the enactment of 2023 Wisconsin Act 12, which was adopted by the Wisconsin State Legislature and signed into law by Governor Tony Evers. It provided increased state funding for local governments and authorized Milwaukee County to enact local sales taxes. 

This matter will be taken up by the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors at their next meeting on July 27, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. 

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.