[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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],{"_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",6458158,"mediaKeyId","5823469-a4288fae3147a529191aba195df2ad48","parentId",5823469,"title","Mayor Johnson outlines $2 billion-plus 2026 budget with tax and fee increases, boosts for public safety and housing","audioSeconds",476,"startMs",81,"endMs",476790,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5823469-a4288fae3147a529191aba195df2ad48&start=0&end=476","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5823469-a4288fae3147a529191aba195df2ad48/thumbnail_81.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6458158/Milwaukee/Milwaukee-County/Wisconsin/Mayor-Johnson-outlines-2-billion-plus-2026-budget-with-tax-and-fee-increases-boosts-for-public-safety-and-housing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458158-64ae638d4faba047a2b84b8afa608b0b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770438153&Signature=RZetneOEpKfvOBLQR2lqMmzSu37xcol-LeFeFvQclK9bpJ7U0aedXZrB5KqpsFBt9CbdM203sqMirerw6imcB-e-tTVyK12u84kVq1TQSQRf~-HZeINnxS4DmwElQLdCk-2JaqO9VdUxSsafg3QiBmPwubl5LVJRudq9XfOUK1iFC~OU3crj77UShSVukgAZdmG4tF9KYkAGldQnGZD881aw1WTKgqUFsK8BBu~kV4lc8Ec5dq6gY0HiyXtVen3wkpeXMWRSwJ0k7cI1cuG-OQvkecdIN~tXX7Z8LosPP7J9f8hR1hNRHewxTi5NkswtjQ09EGHosNW0nuEwgwCZgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Milwaukee, WI","date","2025-09-23T09:28:00Z","article","Mayor Johnson presented his proposed 2026 executive budget to the Milwaukee Common Council on Sept. 17, saying the city faces “one of the largest budget gaps this city has ever seen” and detailing a plan that relies on reserve draws, departmental belt‑tightening and revenue increases to fully fund a budget totaling “over $2,000,000,000.”

The mayor said the proposal would raise the property tax levy by about 3 percent and increase user fees about 4 percent. He also announced a $10 increase to the vehicle registration fee, which he said would align Milwaukee’s fee with several other Wisconsin communities.

Why it matters: The package pairs new revenue with targeted spending to sustain city services and to invest in public safety, housing and infrastructure. The mayor framed the choices as legally and morally necessary given the obligation to present a balanced budget.

Key budget details and priorities

• Size and revenue: The executive budget is described as “over $2,000,000,000.” The mayor said closing the gap will require a mix of use of reserves, departmental reductions and revenue changes; he estimated user fees would rise roughly 4 percent and the property tax levy would increase about 3 percent. The vehicle registration fee would increase by $10. (Amounts described in the meeting were presented as estimates; precise ordinance language and rate schedules were not provided at the hearing.)

• Staffing and public safety: Johnson said he does not anticipate layoffs in 2026 and expects any staffing reductions to come from not filling vacancies. The budget funds training for “the maximum number of police recruits” at the city police academy and calls for adding three full‑time equivalent positions to the Milwaukee Fire Department to boost fire investigation work. The mayor said the Office of Community Wellness and Safety, under a new director, will continue work to prioritize positive outcomes.

• Housing: The mayor listed multiple housing programs included in the proposal: Raise and Revive, the Milwaukee Home down payment assistance program, the Strong Homes loan program, a compliance loan program and the Homes MKE effort. He said city departments will continue efforts to promote homeownership, encourage landlord compliance with safety and livability laws, and support neighborhood stability.

• Infrastructure and streets: The budget includes projects and planning for several major street and safety projects. The mayor said 2026 will start a major road project on National Avenue and will complete a project on Lisbon Avenue, and that projects on Roosevelt, Hopkins, Oklahoma and the Walnut‑Lisbon corridor will begin next year. He said projects will include protected bike lanes, additional street trees and other traffic‑calming features.

• Libraries and flood recovery: Johnson described flooding from Aug. 9 that damaged libraries and other sites; he said the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration were working with property and business owners. He reiterated a commitment to Milwaukee Public Library services and said hours and staffing remain “relatively steady” despite required economizing.

Council process and next steps

Alderman McCox moved that the committee of the whole rise; later, Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevich moved that the mayor’s proposed 2026 budget be referred to the Finance and Personnel Committee for review and that the committee report be filed at a Common Council meeting on Nov. 7, 2024 (as read into the record). Dimitrijevich also moved that, under the provisions of Chapter 18046 of the Milwaukee City Charter, a public hearing on the proposed 2026 budget be held jointly by the Common Council and the mayor on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, at 6:30 p.m., and directed the city clerk to publish the time and place in accordance with charter provisions. Dimitrijevich additionally announced a community listening session on the mayor’s proposed budget for Oct. 18 at 9:30 a.m. at the Martin Luther King Library.

The council referred the mayor’s proposal to committee for review. Detailed ordinance language, final levy figures and any specific fee changes will be drafted and considered in committee and during the formal budget adoption process.

Quotes

“That's one of the largest budget gaps this city has ever seen,” Mayor Johnson said, urging a mix of reserve draws, departmental belt‑tightening and revenue increases to balance the plan.

“I don't anticipate any layoffs with the 2026 budget,” he said, adding that staffing reductions should be handled through not filling vacancies.

Closing

Committee consideration now moves to the Finance and Personnel Committee and to public hearings. Specific ordinance text, final levy rates and fee schedules will be released as the committee process and public comment period proceed.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Milwaukee, WI - COMMON COUNCIL on 2025-09-23 9:00 AM","oneSentenceSummary","Mayor Johnson presented his proposed 2026 executive budget to the Milwaukee Common Council on Sept. 17, saying the city faces “one of the largest budget gaps this city has ever seen” and detailing a plan that relies on reserve draws, departmental belt‑tightening and revenue increases to fund “over $2,000,000,000.”","taxTitle","Milwaukee , Milwaukee County, Wisconsin","taxId",2851,"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},6458153,"Common Council adopts multiple license actions and committee reports; notable suspensions, revocations and ordinance approvals",906,754760,1660940,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5823469-a4288fae3147a529191aba195df2ad48&start=754&end=1660","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5823469-a4288fae3147a529191aba195df2ad48/thumbnail_754760.jpg","/articles/6458153/Milwaukee/Milwaukee-County/Wisconsin/Common-Council-adopts-multiple-license-actions-and-committee-reports-notable-suspensions-revocations-and-ordinance-approvals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458153-a0171145ba355b003c9d873241081aeb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770438153&Signature=ND-R2Ufyzrbluw3x8c2I~8kqQiBLPljp-efkg28xQG4q6GYjwEfQgloEA4EHDb4u2~D5nusaloDc210BQjp1-oNIiL~DyeYYNu1~H57ULXGsi72-oeF5yZ-bsk3r10lsosKm3kQLRtOGJGc07y5HfK7JSR7jkabmZUAeB5cv3URzwsPEkXQD20Y~RePc82dN77SjcTRM56qGwv7b93m-ep6Qy0Ss549XkYFsA2Ay0Ec9qvK3Ov5067ZERcIIxTYYVBMw0pdUZ7-HsDBaBDYIBzxDkLmtneyFCdntcerkfZZh3vYSPE4~GN6jB4LzlOE~5WSCLM9m57OF64X2EhEQDQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Milwaukee Common Council on Sept. 17 voted on a series of licensing matters and adopted reports from multiple standing committees in a meeting that included both contested license hearings and routine committee roll calls.

Licensing committee actions and contested hearings

• File 250737 — Licensing committee recommendations adopted (roll call recorded as 15 ayes). Actions in the file include: approval with a 10‑day suspension of the food dealer license for Abdel Jawad Hamed at 3249 N. Third St. (doing business as Third Street Quick Mart); nonrenewal of a Class B tavern, public entertainment premise and food dealer license for Marvin's Bailey at 2230 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.; and approval with a 10‑day suspension of extended hours, filling station, food dealer and weights and measures licenses for Eunice I. Mohammed at 2707 W. Burleigh St. The council took testimony and heard family and attorney statements during the committee of the whole consideration of this file.

• File 250709 — Club 69 (1663 S. 11th St.) — The council adopted the Licensing Committee recommendation for a 90‑day suspension of the Class B tavern license (roll call: 15 ayes).

• File 250776 — Passion Nightclub (1565–1570 S. Muskego Ave.) — The council adopted the committee recommendation to revoke the Class B tavern and public entertainment licenses based on police reports and MPD testimony (roll call: 15 ayes).

Committee reports and ordinance/resolution adoptions

The council adopted multiple standing committee reports by roll call (most recorded as 15 ayes). Highlights include:

• Public Works Committee: Adopted a set of resolutions and substitute ordinances covering conduit use, driveway approaches, state municipal agreements, assessable and non‑assessable public improvements, and authorizations for state highway projects and Hop MKE streetcar safety plans. The committee report was adopted by roll call (15 ayes).

• Finance and Personnel Committee: Adopted a package including ordinances on city wage requirements, pay rates, exemptions from charges and fees for accessible entrances, suspension of permit fees for flood repair projects, acceptance and funding resolutions for grants (including a Family Foundation home visiting grant), settlement authorizations, and appropriations for damage and claims funds. The committee report was adopted by roll call (15 ayes).

• Public Safety and Health Committee: Adopted an ordinance addressing street takeovers, stunt driving and spectating at illegal racing events; traffic and parking controls; and public health grant acceptances. That committee report was adopted by roll call (15 ayes).

• Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development; Community and Economic Development; Judiciary and Legislation committees: Each committee presented reports and the council adopted the remaining committee recommendations by roll call (15 ayes) including zoning changes, tax incremental district project plans, appointments to business improvement districts, and other development and judicial settlements.

Testimony and advocates

During the Licensing Committee's hearing on file 250737, witnesses included Jawad Farris (identifying himself as the grandson of Abdel Jawad Hamid) and attorney David Banger, who represented Eunice Mohammed and summarized steps taken after a July shooting, including new security cameras, LED lighting and community engagement. Amani United (represented in the record by counsel) opposed the 10‑day suspension for one business and asked the council to consider neighborhood work by the owner. Alderman Brower said a 10‑day suspension was meant to send a message about safety; Assistant City Attorney Travis Gresham presented the findings of fact and answered council questions.

Vote tallies and procedure

Most committee reports and contested license matters were adopted unanimously by the roll calls shown in the record (the clerk recorded 15 ayes on the acknowledged files above). Where testimony was taken, the council temporarily resolved into the committee of the whole to hear witnesses before resuming and voting on the committee recommendations.

What the council did not do

The council did not modify the Licensing Committee's recommended suspensions, with the record showing debate and requests for clarification but final adoption of the committee recommendations.

","At the Sept. 17 meeting the Milwaukee Common Council adopted the Licensing Committee's recommendations including a 10‑day suspension and nonrenewal items, a 90‑day tavern suspension and a revocation; the council also approved multiple standing committee reports (Public Works, Finance and Personnel, Public Safety and others) by roll call.","actionData","errors"]

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Mayor Johnson outlines $2 billion-plus 2026 budget with tax and fee increases, boosts for public safety and housing

Common Council adopts multiple license actions and committee reports; notable suspensions, revocations and ordinance approvals