Budget Committee questions $3.4M overage in Transdev contract for 2025

In a recent hybrid meeting of the Milwaukee County Committee on Transportation and Transit, concerns were raised about a significant budget discrepancy related to a contract with Transdev, a transportation service provider. The discussion unfolded in Room 203-R, where committee members gathered both in person and virtually to address pressing financial matters.

One committee member expressed confusion over a staggering $3.4 million over-budgeting for the Transdev contract. "If you sign a contract, my thought was you're paying somebody a specific amount for a specific service," they noted, highlighting the lack of clarity surrounding the contract's financial details. This sentiment echoed throughout the meeting, as members sought to understand how such a substantial overage could occur without clear justification.

The conversation also touched on the 2025 county budget, which appeared to allocate minimal attention to the upcoming contract with the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) and the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPIU). "There's only one sentence dedicated to the contract coming up," the member pointed out, suggesting that more transparency was needed regarding labor agreements and their financial implications.

Additionally, concerns were raised about management raises that seemed to have been incorporated into the budget without proper documentation or discussion. This lack of clarity left committee members questioning the overall budgeting process and the accountability of financial decisions made within the county.

As the meeting concluded, the committee was left with more questions than answers, emphasizing the need for a thorough review of the budgeting practices and contracts that impact Milwaukee County's transportation services. The discussions underscored the importance of transparency and communication in managing public funds, setting the stage for future deliberations on these critical issues.