Milwaukee, Wisconsin – County Commissioner David Crowley presented the recommended budget for 2023 to the Milwaukee County Commission and Milwaukee County residents this morning. The 2023 budget continues to advance our first countywide strategic plan in 20 years and reflects the organization’s vision to achieve racial and health equity.
“Even in the face of many obstacles again, we are proud that despite current revenue constraints, the budget has not made significant cuts to services. It is a reflection of our shared values and organizational vision of achieving fairness,” said Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. “This commitment is important as the county continues to face an ongoing crisis on two fronts: systemic racism and the social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The 2023 operating budget of $1,176 million addresses urgent needs with targeted investments in the County’s vision and strategic focus areas. Budget highlights include:
- stock investment
- $21 million investment in community access to recovery services
- Increased funding to Credible Messengers by $500,000 for a total budget of $1.7 million
- Children’s Long Term Assistance Program Budget Increased to $32.4 Million
- Parks division funding increased by $1.5 million, including 17 new full-time employees.
- fill the gap
- Funding Center for Forensic and Protective Medicine, in collaboration with the State of Wisconsin
- Increase program funding and rename correctional institutions to community reintegration centers. Creates nine new positions in the CRC to expand support in the areas of psychiatric social her work, community outreach, quality assurance, administration, and operations.
- No significant service cuts despite annual structural budget deficits
- Creating intentional inclusions
- Improve recruitment and retention by increasing compensation and vacation days.Add Funds to Increase Diversity in County Government Through Recruitment
- Reimagining Community Business Development Partners as Offices of Economic Inclusion
- Create two more positions in the Office of Equity to increase the county’s presence and visibility in hard-to-reach communities.
“Thanks to the efforts and sacrifices of our county department, we passed the budget without cutting services. .”Crowley continued. “This budget is based on the financial realities we are facing, making small program cuts to close the deficit in 2023 and protect the continuity of critical services. It was a difficult decision for us, but the outlook could be bleak if new revenue streams are not introduced to offset the annual structural deficit.
After years of declining numbers of correctional facilities, state court orders have increased their numbers. Milwaukee County currently costs a staggering $1,178 a day, or $430,000 a year, to house youth in state institutions. As the number of young people ordered to rehabilitate state increases, so does the number of young people in jail at the Bell Phillips Youth and Family Justice Center.
Due to the budgetary implications of increased census at both Lincoln Hills, Copper Lake Schools, Mendota Youth Treatment Center state facilities, and regional Bell Phillips, community-based We had to cut our investment by $2 million.
Additionally, the Milwaukee County Transit Service faces a 2025 financial cliff. The budget will reduce bus frequency on routes 52, 92, 34, and 88 by an average of about eight minutes to avoid eliminating routes en masse.
Milwaukee County has launched MoveForwardMKE, a partnership between business, legislators, city governments, and community groups to advocate at the state level for lower property taxes and higher local option sales taxes to address legacy costs. Remains the leader of the coalition. Maintain critical local services. Even with a 1% increase in sales tax, the county would still have one of the lowest sales taxes in the nation for a community our size and generate an additional $180 million in revenue. There is no budgetary impact on the state budget.
“Given the ongoing challenges faced this year and the financial constraints facing the county, the ability to recommend a budget that builds on the equity victories achieved to date and addresses acute community needs. I am very pleased,” Crowley concludes.
