Overview

• The proposal closes a roughly $100 million shortfall by drawing on reserves, trimming departmental requests by nearly $30 million, and adding targeted revenue.
• Major user fees would rise about 4%, the property tax levy would increase 3%, and the vehicle registration fee would go up by $10.
• Public safety funding covers three Milwaukee Police Department recruit classes of 65, with a projected 2026 sworn strength of about 1,645 if all cohorts graduate at capacity.
• Fire spending would add three positions and bolster the investigation unit, with budget staff projecting 207 sworn daily firefighter positions next year.
• About $206 million from the city’s 2% local sales tax under Act 12 underpins the plan, which faces public hearings on Oct. 6 and Oct. 18 before a Common Council vote on Nov. 7, with staffing mandates that risk a loss of shared revenue if year-over-year levels fall.