Statement from Mayor Cavalier Johnson Regarding WCD Agreement

“Today should have been a day to celebrate the City of Milwaukee moving one step closer to receiving a net revenue of over $26 million in a restructured services and benefits agreement with the Wisconsin Center District (WCD). After over a year of negotiations with representatives from my Administration, the City Comptroller’s Office and WCD, our teams were able to reach a new agreement that undoes a 2020 agreement that may not produce a single dollar of new revenue.

Instead, the Chair of Finance & Personnel decided to not schedule a hearing for today, citing unanswered questions. The problem is, the agreement was first provided to every Common Council member over a month ago, and every question a Council member has asked has been answered through multiple in-person meetings, emails and phone calls. Any additional questions should be heard at a public hearing. That is how democracy works.

More problematically, the Common Council adopted a process to appoint an alder representative to the negotiations, and I welcomed that participation. That representative refused to join a single internal planning meeting or any of the multiple in-person negotiations. Now, over $26 million to support core city services are at stake.

I want to thank the Wisconsin Center District for negotiating in good faith. I also want to thank the many Common Council members who asked probative questions and provided valuable feedback to make this a stronger deal. But there is nothing to celebrate, yet.

There is a simple approach that will benefit Milwaukee residents. I am calling on the Chair of Finance & Personnel to schedule this agreement for the next meeting of the committee, and for the full Common Council to adopt it.”

Additional Statement by Representative Kalan Haywood (WCD Board Member):

“I appreciate all parties involved for bringing forward an agreement that offers Milwaukee long-term economic certainty. The new revenue this deal generates can be used to improve the quality of life for all Milwaukee residents. I respect the Common Council’s desire to fully evaluate the agreement. The reality is that every day of delay is another missed opportunity to deliver meaningful impact for our city. I strongly urge the Council to move this deal forward and deliver for Milwaukee.”

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.