Mayor Tom Barrett Announces August 16-21, 2021 as Budget Awareness Week

MILWAUKEE—Mayor Tom Barrett today proclaimed August 16-21, 2021 as the first Budget Awareness Week. The week includes a series of public engagement sessions where residents will have the opportunity to engage with City officials to discuss the City’s budget process, the City’s 2022 budget priorities and solutions to budget challenges.

“Budgeting for our city’s future has to be a collaborative process. That includes elected officials and the community we serve,” said Mayor Tom Barrett. “After all, every household in our city is affected by budget decisions. Our budget pays for health, housing, safety services and more.”

Budget Awareness Week will begin with a kick-off event at City Hall led by Mayor Barrett. In addition to the various budget awareness activities planned, residents will be able to attend a webinar on the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act and the Mayor’s Milwaukee COVID-19 Recovery and Resilience Plan. The City has received an unprecedented $394 million ARP award, and the Mayor’s plan allocates $93 million of the first half of the City’s ARP payment to help address pressing community needs and turn the tide on COVID-19. It includes funding to connect unemployed residents to jobs, assists individuals and families facing evictions, increases access to affordable housing, addresses reckless driving, helps small businesses and more. The plan will be considered by the Common Council in the near future.

BUDGET AWARENESS WEEK EVENT SCHEDULE:

Monday, August 16, from 10 – 10:30 a.m.
Budget Awareness Week Kick-Off
200 E. Wells St., City Hall (1st Floor, Rotunda), Milwaukee, WI 53202
Join Mayor Tom Barrett and other City and community leaders to kick off Budget Awareness Week.

Tuesday, August 17, from 5:30 – 7 p.m.
Mayor Tom Barrett’s 2022 Budget Hearing – Virtual Meeting
Hear about the City’s finances and learn about the factors shaping the 2022 City budget.

Wednesday, August 18, from 5:30 – 7 p.m.
Making $ense of City Budgeting Exercise – Spanish and English
Cristo Rey High School, 1818 W. National Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53204
Learn about City budgeting and balancing priorities to make tough budget choices.

Thursday, August 19, from 5:30 – 7 p.m.
American Rescue Plan (ARP) Plan Webinar
Hear about Mayor Tom Barrett’s Milwaukee ARP COVID-19 Recovery and Resilience Plan.

Friday, August 20, All Day
Budget Priority Survey Challenge
Every Neighborhood Strategic Planning organization is encouraged to mobilize residents to take the City’s 2022 Budget Priority Survey.

Saturday, August 21, from 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Making $ense of City Budgeting Exercise
Employ Milwaukee, 2342 N. 27th St., Milwaukee, WI 53210
Learn about City budgeting and balancing priorities to make tough budget choices.

Visit milwaukee.gov/budget for event details and to take the City’s 2022 Budget Priority Survey.

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.