The Milwaukee County Committee on Finance convened on June 18, 2025, to discuss the pressing issue of deferred infrastructure needs, revealing a staggering $1.1 billion in anticipated costs over the next five years. Vince Masterson presented the county's five-year capital project outlook, highlighting that approximately two-thirds of these needs lack funding, leaving a significant gap in the capital budget.

Masterson explained that the county's capital bonding cap allows for funding of only about one-third of the project requests from various departments. This translates to an estimated $743 million in projects that will not receive funding, based on current requests. The situation poses ongoing challenges for the county's capital budget process, necessitating difficult decisions each year.

Among the most critical projects discussed was the $480 million courthouse project, which is currently in the planning and design phase but requires construction funding. Efforts are underway to secure state funding to support this initiative. Other notable projects, such as the Kosciusko Community Center and Washington Park Service Yard, have faced delays due to the county's funding challenges, despite having completed planning and design.

The meeting also addressed the Bayview Park Revetment project, which is essential for completing work on the lakefront but faces funding hurdles. Additionally, the Mitchell Park Domes project, which received a $30 million allocation in last year's budget, and over $20 million earmarked for renovations to aging senior centers were highlighted as significant financial commitments.

Masterson emphasized the need for the county to explore creative solutions to address these funding challenges, including reducing project footprints and seeking external financing. The discussion underscored the urgency for Milwaukee County to find innovative ways to manage its infrastructure needs amid ongoing financial constraints.