[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6567376,"mediaKeyId","3327349-e237032d49f36bc4f899ac365afc1abd","parentId",3327349,"title","Milwaukee County projects $46.7 million gap for 2026; administration outlines levy targets and spending pressures","audioSeconds",716,"startMs",5401000,"endMs",6117000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3327349-e237032d49f36bc4f899ac365afc1abd&start=5401&end=6117","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3327349-e237032d49f36bc4f899ac365afc1abd/thumbnail_5401000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6567376/Milwaukee-County/Wisconsin/Milwaukee-County-projects-467-million-gap-for-2026-administration-outlines-levy-targets-and-spending-pressures","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6567376-e7d7496164d29a776885b7eadf146c1f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770546826&Signature=HPIqRvj-CyQ8MJ~gFERNkHl8EOxys~ucaVPjRZH0-E2g7krcHBfxOUPw7WxXTT1KBxJv1a0S7tabUgbHf9vNeZoMcD~fYk7cqKlU-jmguXd8FmjQazV~ZZfV6dXD9CSv8Sec-mT9V3OWNOjMVcQrEIlmXxfu-FoXbDw1xSmqf-rZgRFZVipgP~dGjN0YH4h5Y-dbRAcleqFyk9UNriiJZi-he93dAmn1hXKwMF8HMV-ryaIgT98YZmbSqYDHF7rgv25YMDoQGANbZpgnBINJmjDKdRuEnCL8iROYRfaL7CjqRETpcx4rEPNLYIuo4e84ITEP9pyme~tu6noE~5ecvA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Milwaukee County","date","2025-05-15T00:00:00Z","article","Milwaukee County\u0000\u0001s finance staff on Tuesday outlined a preliminary $46.7 million projected deficit for the 2026 operating budget and detailed the administration\u0000\u0001s early strategies to narrow the gap.

Dan Lorula and Joe Lamers of the Office of Strategy, Budget and Performance told supervisors the forecast leans on several major uncertainties: assumed increases in salaries and overtime ($27 million in the fiscal forecast), higher health-care claim and prescription costs (projected near $16 million increase), and rising overtime in public-safety and correctional operations. The administration asked departments to contain inflation-driven cost increases and issued levy-reduction targets totaling roughly $10 million.

On the revenue side, staff reported recent sales-tax disbursements were running about 5% higher year-over-year for the May-to-April window; comptroller staff said the county should expect some relief if the trend continues. Lamers noted that only the county\u0000\u0001s 0.5-percentage-point share of the sales tax is available to offset the general fund gap; a separate 0.4 share flows to pension-related obligations.

Other levers discussed included vehicle-registration fee adjustments (a locally authorized fee that brings in roughly $17 million for transportation purposes), and pending items in the state budget that could materially affect the county\u0000\u0001s bottom line, such as transit and circuit court funding. The administration said it is monitoring the Joint Finance Committee and legislative developments closely and is coordinating with legislative affairs staff.

Appropriation transfers and capital adjustments: As part of the committee cycle, the administration presented a series of appropriation transfers (May 2025 cycle) to realign unspent capital and grant funds, realign reserves for airport and parks projects, and shift ARPA administrative funds to ensure reporting and claims responsibilities are staffed. The committee approved the May appropriation transfer packet during the meeting.

Next steps: The administration will finalize department budget requests for a July 15 submission and release a recommended budget in October. Supervisors asked departments with large projected deficits (the sheriff and the Community Reintegration Center) to return with additional detail; staff said the sheriff\u0000\u0001s office is expected to appear in a future committee cycle to discuss its forecasted deficit.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Milwaukee County - Committee on Finance on 2025-05-15 9:00 AM - HYBRID MEETINGThis meeting will be held in Room 203-R, and will be live-streamed on the County Legislative Information Center: https://milwaukeecounty.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx - May 15, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","County staff told the finance committee that Milwaukee County faces a preliminary $46.7 million deficit for 2026 and outlined early steps to narrow the gap, including levy targets, departmental cost containment and monitoring of state budget items.","taxTitle","Milwaukee County, Wisconsin","taxId",2736,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6567379,"MCTS pilot for driver relief stalls in favor of expanded security patrols; committee approves reallocation of $35,000",2774,4768000,7542000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3327349-e237032d49f36bc4f899ac365afc1abd&start=4768&end=7542","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3327349-e237032d49f36bc4f899ac365afc1abd/thumbnail_4768000.jpg","/articles/6567379/Milwaukee-County/Wisconsin/MCTS-pilot-for-driver-relief-stalls-in-favor-of-expanded-security-patrols-committee-approves-reallocation-of-35000","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6567379-0926f2ed78979cffce400bdfaf94200d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770546826&Signature=HIBBLEFOI-gULsXf9ncOGT6s~w9rDws4GQGtz9Yd1~hspzxOI2eWNlTfFS5Xb0jescOOCdTQsVwWDuaEy0-tan44DneEzAnW2475Y4i8dCBf1MQ1HXWmKLGiRl-OHe8TNz8EeKZwxGHbGwQr5qHKaLxsOi6ckAUDwaxYCgiDr98UpvA28aOE7lDOnd4R5cCP5wz6MyKZ-Y349ilWTbgwciFUuOnJvqYIhJzVyQxkLavpbew9kbPMPfYTiLNwaICmC8fbMpd~~f16BeEYAYdMdOTGfUaQeKOKMopVU2S3ZIOC7ioWbjf3Mer46A1Hblb4LH25iUuP0oVoTXCgjxpVNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Milwaukee County Transit administration told the finance committee on Tuesday it will not implement the transportation network company (TNC) driver-relief pilot as originally directed in the 2025 adopted budget and instead recommended repurposing $35,000 to boost public-safety officer coverage.

Kevin Pumphrey, chief operating officer for Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS), told the committee that an initial $35,000 allocation for a TNC pilot that would have tested Uber, Lyft or similar services could not be stretched far enough to provide a meaningful pilot and that the union did not consent to a private TNC model. \"We never got the union on board,\" Pumphrey said, and one of the county\u0000\u0001s two existing vans was sidelined by an accident, limiting operational capacity.

MCTS presented data showing many release points and long relief waits. Pumphrey said, \"operator security incidents, they're more likely going to happen on the bus than they are at a relief point,\" and described a revised plan to use the $35,000 to fund overtime for public-safety officers (PSOs) and targeted patrols that MCTS said would have broader system coverage than the limited TNC pilot.

Union leaders and operators urged continuation of the van-based relief program sold to the board in the 2025 budget cycle. Donnell Shorter, former ATU 998 president, described operators standing for long periods at relief points and said one operator had been \"knocked off her feet and unconscious.\" Multiple ATU representatives and working drivers testified in support of driver-relief vans, noting that relief waits can exceed 20-30 minutes and that operators are unpaid while waiting to be relieved.

Julie Ash, interim president and managing director of MCTS, said the reallocation of the $35,000 would create overtime-funded PSO hours to provide wider coverage and faster security response across the system through the end of the year. MCTS also said the two vans currently on property will continue to be used, though new vans ordered through Fleet were delayed by supply-chain issues.

Committee action: Finance approved the administration\u0000\u0001s amended proposal to redirect the $35,000 to public-safety overtime and related PSO expenses. On the motion to adopt the amended resolution, the committee recorded 5 ayes and 1 no. (Supervisor Taylor cast the lone no vote.)

What remains unresolved: Union leaders told the committee the van relief service had demonstrable operator benefits and urged continued support; MCTS said a longer-term, sustainably funded program would require more than the one-time $35,000 allocation and that the new vans ordered in the 2025 budget have not yet been delivered due to manufacturing and supply-chain timing. The union and MCTS also disagreed over the best near-term use of funds; union representatives said the $35,000 should remain dedicated to driver relief while MCTS argued it would provide greater systemwide effect as targeted PSO overtime.

Next steps: MCTS will continue using existing vans where practical, is pursuing operational alternatives, and will present additional budget-related updates and potential pilot options during the 2026 budget cycle. Supervisors asked MCTS to provide clearer timelines for the new vans and additional reporting on how any reallocated funds are spent.","Milwaukee County Transit told the finance committee it will not proceed with a TNC driver-relief pilot as originally proposed and recommended repurposing the allocated $35,000 to expand public-safety officer overtime and patrols to improve operator and system security.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6567384,"Milwaukee County approves Building Bridges small-business program using WEDC grant and county reserve",4453,261000,4714000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3327349-e237032d49f36bc4f899ac365afc1abd&start=261&end=4714","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3327349-e237032d49f36bc4f899ac365afc1abd/thumbnail_261000.jpg","/articles/6567384/Milwaukee-County/Wisconsin/Milwaukee-County-approves-Building-Bridges-small-business-program-using-WEDC-grant-and-county-reserve","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6567384-8d410d10a68cfabbeed0a411f5d12b76/orig.mp4?Expires=1770546826&Signature=NpRI0~mETfXAeXdX-YmeRp0U5DFtVWaWxfKgO9cDQySwGzZHei6T~8bXfk25cSajxTPO5dhacxwc8g3hY2EC3MyijE2LPndhCGG9SyDk0jE22Iw25iGM4xbzQHvSPcfwLNG5vFc-gBhg2JtdLTfDlsuUod44N8LbohY0XwxDCT1GE4umew7FavNcfYrSoRKJukNa2P4uN1TAndbzJU7ZmacEJ-P0ytIuz9JVJ8PUUykmxBzPQejcNHZD~F-frb5dMkKf9VhEADlAx3MFncNog9veevin6H26jBMUxlE~yojLqL1Y1izQA8kbf3OxTbL~tpKIg4n3tgvKNhkO7qRW2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Milwaukee County supervisors on Tuesday recommended creation of a small-business assistance program that pairs a $200,000 Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation grant with funds from the county\u0000\u0001s Economic Development (ED) reserve to provide direct technical support and one-time grants to small businesses.

The program, presented by Timothy Schabow, deputy chief of staff to County Executive David Crowley, and Celia Benton, the county\u0000\u0001s economic development director, would use the WEDC award to distribute $10,000 grants to qualifying small businesses and fund a small-business liaison position based in the county\u0000\u0001s economic development office.

County administrators said the WEDC grant is competitive and targeted; Benton said \"all of that $200,000 will go back directly in grants of $10,000 to small businesses.\" The program would make 20 grants initially (the presenters said the award provides $200,000), and the county would pair that award with ED reserve funds to build longer-term program capacity, including marketing and corridor activation.

Why it matters: County leaders said the program would make Milwaukee County a single point of contact for entrepreneurs struggling to navigate a fragmented offering of support organizations and municipal processes. Benton described the liaison as a \"single point of contact\" who would coordinate technical assistance, help entrepreneurs assemble teams for permitting and build relationships with municipalities, chambers and other business-support organizations.

Program design and money: Administrators described two funding sources: the WEDC award and a county ED reserve created by a 2011 board resolution. Aaron Hertzberg, director of administrative services, described the reserve\u0000\u0001s history and said contributions to it ceased after 2014; the administration located remaining funds and proposed using them consistent with the 2011 resolution\u0000\u0001s goal to invest in economic development. The county\u0000\u0001s proposal requested a one-time transfer from that reserve to stand up the liaison and related work; supervisors asked for reporting and staged approvals.

Supervisors pressed administrators about oversight and longevity. Vice Chair Supervisor Steve Taylor proposed an amendment to stage the funding (short-term funding now, additional transfers later tied to reporting and the 2026 budget); administration officials warned a short-term funding approach could hamper recruitment of an experienced liaison. Benton said the goal would be to recruit the liaison by September. Schabow said the WEDC grant must be spent by the end of 2026.

Vote and next steps: On a motion by Supervisor Lynn Martinez the committee recommended the measure for adoption (5 ayes, 1 no). The administration said it would proceed with hiring steps if the full board and personnel committee approvals follow; supervisors asked for periodic reporting and said they expected the county would address long-running questions about how the ED reserve lost ongoing contributions after 2014.

Community context and risks: Supervisors representing both urban and suburban districts asked how the program would fairly reach businesses across municipalities and supervisory districts; Benton said the grants would be awarded on a rolling, vetted basis to businesses judged most likely to succeed and that the liaison would work to spread awareness across all districts. Several supervisors asked that the county return with program metrics during the 2026 budget process and recommended six-month reports. Administrators described the implementation risk as moderate because the program depends on locating and hiring a qualified liaison and on reconciling the ED reserve\u0000\u0001s historical record.

Authorities referenced in committee discussion include the WEDC grant award (Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation small business development grant) and the county\u0000\u0001s 2011 resolution creating the Economic Development Reserve (as discussed on the record). The administration also cited \"section 59.6 sub 8\" in referring the file to other committees (as recorded in the meeting packet).","County board finance committee approved a plan to use a $200,000 Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) grant plus county Economic Development Reserve funds to create a Building Bridges small-business program that will include $10,000 grants, a small-business liaison position and commercial-corridor activation work.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6567371,"County settles COVID-era dispute with Zilly Hospitality Group; contract extended, $82,000 payment to Parks",791,10996000,11787000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3327349-e237032d49f36bc4f899ac365afc1abd&start=10996&end=11787","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3327349-e237032d49f36bc4f899ac365afc1abd/thumbnail_10996000.jpg","/articles/6567371/Milwaukee-County/Wisconsin/County-settles-COVID-era-dispute-with-Zilly-Hospitality-Group-contract-extended-82000-payment-to-Parks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6567371-19d1b726ffe82ca3fc2827103b239642/orig.mp4?Expires=1770546826&Signature=nxLoIZqK1JHk~I6m0ybP2hck3TPhKarbH08G17UGstWs7Coi3fN~uQXOddvvLHuzMeGhWt0xA1krF0ILW~7rxDbJ2JmCUnDMYUV2GMDuYgn7sDcsRZz5hWC8jpojpiwo3yP-gI2uXtiYNs3yl1GU4mPKltTzIsilWn60S4ca8P7Ydv89NtWmCnqLzbvFm9qvBRE6AgEHe09kgHYIwGcsDjrrjQex1CwRDeKOs3-qO2k2eaPtqhds9P4~EVZTJeV05u4S7oLJhbkemzbDT896JPY5fiJhBDc6XVAxp77NamAPWHe2V68A8mJ0O7GVXqQxcTEBjpDYpxA5YJgr2QNuew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Milwaukee County\u0000\u0001s finance committee on Tuesday approved a settlement and contract-extension with Zilly Hospitality Group resolving legal disputes tied to Covid-era closures at the Boerner Botanical Gardens.

Deputy Corporation Counsel Karen Tidwell told supervisors the dispute concerned whether Zillys owed money to the county for certain expenses when county facilities were closed during 2020 and 2021. The parties negotiated a settlement to close those outstanding claims, provide certainty for both sides, and preserve the ongoing operating relationship at the Boerner facility.

Under the agreement the county will receive a lump-sum payment of $82,000 from Zilly Hospitality Group and the existing catering and facility-management contract will receive an additional three-year renewal term. Jim Tarantino, deputy director for Milwaukee County Parks, told the committee Zillys has been a long-standing partner at Boerner and that \"our relationship with Zillys works very well\" and that the payment will add operating revenue for Parks this year.

Supervisor questions and public context: Supervisor Balinski asked whether Zillys or its parent company received federal pandemic assistance (Paycheck Protection Program) and whether that had been considered during settlement discussions; Deputy Corporation Counsel Tidwell said the county would follow up with Zillys\u0000\u0001counsel to gather that information. Supervisor Martinez, who previously voted differently at Parks, objected and indicated dissatisfaction with aspects of the history and process.

Vote: On a motion by Supervisor Steve Taylor the committee approved the settlement and contract amendment; the recorded committee vote was 3 ayes to 2 noes, and the motion prevailed.

Next steps: The county will finalize the settlement paperwork and the Parks Department said it will work with Zillys to continue operations at Boerner Botanical Gardens. Corporation Counsel said she would follow up on supervisors\u0000\u0001questions about any federal assistance Zillys may have received during the pandemic.","Milwaukee County approved a settlement with Zilly Hospitality Group to resolve disputes stemming from Burnham Park/Botanical Gardens closures during 2020-2021. Under the agreement the caterer will make a lump-sum payment to Parks of $82,000 and the county will extend the contract term by an additional renewal period.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Milwaukee County projects $46.7 million gap for 2026; administration outlines levy targets and spending pressures

MCTS pilot for driver relief stalls in favor of expanded security patrols; committee approves reallocation of $35,000

Milwaukee County approves Building Bridges small-business program using WEDC grant and county reserve

County settles COVID-era dispute with Zilly Hospitality Group; contract extended, $82,000 payment to Parks