Milwaukee 2024 budget proposal; Mayor Johnson shares plan
MILWAUKEE - No staffing cuts. No more closing fire houses. For the first time in years, Milwaukee's mayor is proposing zero service cuts in the city budget proposal.
"Years ago we had a slight fire, and it was good they came over right across the street," said Rosie Ivory, a Milwaukee resident.
Ivory said the fire at her home on Milwaukee's north side was put out quickly – and her location made all the difference.
"It is convenient to have them here," Ivory said.
Rosie Ivory
But if a fire broke out today, Ivory said there would be a longer response time.
"Since it’s been closed, it's been quiet," Ivory said.
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Ivory lives across from Milwaukee Fire Station 5. It is one of the six fire stations closed in the city since 2018.
Mayor Cavalier Johnson said on Tuesday, Sept. 19 his 2024 $1.9 billion proposed budget would reopen that fire house.
"I am not closing fire houses, I am not cutting police sworn strength," the mayor told the Common Council.
Johnson said instead of cuts, he wants to add 15 new police officers next year. For fire, he wants to increase the daily staffing from 192 to 198.
"Potentially the first time in my career to hear about additions to the front line staff," said Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski.
Chief Lipski said those new hires would be assigned a new paramedic unit and an additional fire engine.
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"We have to plug holes in very large areas of the city that had high call volumes," Lipski said.
Mayor Johnson said this money comes from the increase in sales tax. That sales tax, also known as Act 12, is projected to bring $200 million for the city next year. Johnson said most of that money is required to go to police and fire services.
"There is no higher priority than increasing public safety," Johnson said.
Chief Lipski said the city has not determined the location for the reopening fire engine and paramedial unit.
The mayor is also asking the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission to boost its recruitment efforts.
Mayor Johnson's full speech
Reaction
Milwaukee Alderman Bob Bauman
"The ink is barely dry on the city’s Climate and Equity Plan and the Johnson Administration’s budget ignores it by proposing to demolish 180 properties, sending thousands of tons of useable old growth lumber and other salvageable building materials to landfills rather than following the city’s deconstruction ordinance or rehabbing the properties thereby creating affordable housing opportunities.
"Deconstruction diverts useable building materials from landfills, saving tipping fees and recycling structural lumber. It also creates jobs for entry-level workers and trains them in the use of basic tools and exposes them to building methods and practices.
"We apparently have the resources to stand up a robust deconstruction program but the Raze and Revive program shows no creativity or commitment to deconstruction -- which promotes the values embedded in the Climate and Equity Plan.
"Over the last 40 years, the city has become proficient at creating vacant lots. We need to think outside the box and convert blighted properties into affordable housing or reuse the building materials for new construction thereby advancing our climate and equity goals.
"We should be deconstructing and creating jobs while also saving on landfill tipping fees. Let’s follow the plan!"