"Argument about funding:" Public gets its say on the 2016 Milwaukee County budget

MILWAUKEE -- The 2016 Milwaukee County budget is not yet set in stone -- supervisors say you could have an influence on it. The first of two public hearings took place Monday, October 12th.

It was a chance for their voices to be heard. But for some, getting their message to the Milwaukee County Board Supervisors is bittersweet.

"Ever year, we pretty much get into the same argument about funding," said James Macon, President Local 998.

James Macon with the Transit Union says funding for transportation is already nearly $1.5 million short in the county's 2016 budget. And although he says he's grateful for the opportunity to plead his case in front of county supervisors...

"There's no excuse that we should be competing with other organizations that need the money as much as we do," said Macon.

Organizations such as homeless shelters, like Guest House.

"It's great to see people coming out to speak about things that are important to them," said Cindy Krahenbuhl, Executive Director of Guest House of Milwaukee.

What's important to members of the shelter and Transition Housing Task Force, which helps people who have become homeless, is making sure a $300,000 allotment for their shelters stays intact.

"That's allowed us each to bring more services and help fill some budget gabs we're experiencing within the shelter system." said Krahenbuhl.

Monday's public hearing was scheduled to go until 5:00 p.m. but was so sparsely attended it wrapped up a little before 10:30 a.m. FOX6 News spoke with a supervisor shortly after and he stressed the importance for people to show up. He said they really could end up changing their minds on something.

There's one more chance for people to show up to a public hearing and that's November 2nd at the Mitchell Domes.