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City of Milwaukee begins 2013 budget process
City of Milwaukee begins 2013 budget process
MILWAUKEE -- Leaders met in Milwaukee Monday night, August 13th to begin crafting the city's 2013 budget. Foreclosures, pensions and state aid cuts are just some of the issues facing the city. City officials are discussing widespread cuts impacting every city department as the budgeting process begins.
At the first public meeting on the city's 2013 budget, the budget management director outlined the challenges the City of Milwaukee faces -- mainly, its projected budget imbalance of about $45 million.
"We really have some things we're trying to do. Either we need to increase revenues or reduce expenses compared to request by about $45 million," Mark Nicolini said.
The city has seen a drop in property values, state revenue reductions and foreclosed homes that need to be razed.
"We could have something like 1,000 properties to be razed, and we simply don't have $12 million in a single year," Nicolini said.
The city must also set aside millions of dollars for its employee pension plan -- something Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett says they've been preparing for.
"We knew there were these storm clouds coming our way, and so we've been putting money aside these past two years. We still have a significant pension payment we have to make," Mayor Barrett said.
Mayor Barrett says his priorities are public safety and public health. Despite the likely cuts ahead, Mayor Barrett is predicting a slight tax reduction.
"It`s not gonna be enough to let you go to Hawaii, I can tell you that, but I think people are happier when their taxes go down," Mayor Barrett said.
Mayor Barrett and his team will present their recommendations to the Milwaukee Common Council on September 27th. Hearings will start in October, and if all goes ahead as planned, a budget will be adopted on November 2nd.