Mayor unveils $1.7B Milwaukee budget proposal, relying heavily on federal funds
Mayor Tom Barrett unveiled what was expected to be his final city budget Tuesday morning.
Mayor Tom Barrett unveiled what was expected to be his final city budget Tuesday morning.
Mayor Tom Barrett unveiled what was expected to be his final city budget Tuesday morning.
Mayor Tom Barrett unveiled what was expected to be his final city budget Tuesday morning.
"Change is likely to come to city government," he said before the Common Council.
After 17 years as mayor, President Joe Biden has nominated Barrett to serve as U.S. ambassador to Luxembourg.
Barrett's budget is filled with dire warnings.
"The reality is, the 2022 Milwaukee budget is, in many ways, the calm before the storm," he said. "The looming challenges are ominous."
In his budget, Barrett told the Common Council they include the challenges posed by COVID-19.
"Your voices are influential," he said. "Everyone in this room has an influential voice, and we need those voices to be louder to ensure that more people get vaccinated."
The $1.7 billion budget plan relies heavily on American Rescue Plan to help pay for city services.
"We are putting (American Rescue Plan) funds into the police department, fire department, the health department, the department of public works," Barrett said.
But he called it a short-term fix for long-term, systemic problems.
Whether the challenges include gun violence, funding police or tackling housing issues, Barrett used the budget address to call on state lawmakers to do more for Milwaukee.
"We need the State Legislature to be our partner, finally," he said.
WISN 12's Kent Wainscott asked Barrett if he was any more optimistic about getting budget help from state lawmakers than he has been in the past.
"I have to be optimistic. I have to, because it's the future of the city, and I'm not willing to give up on that," he said.
Barrett said he hoped three main accomplishments would be included in his legacy ass mayor: Housing, removal of lead paint from older homes and early education.
He said they were all things that impact families and the next generation.
And they were things in which he would like to make significant investments into the future.
The Senate will consider Barrett's nomination as ambassador.
Confirmation hearings have not yet been scheduled.
If he's confirmed, Common Council President Cavalier Johnson will become acting mayor before a special election date is set.
The Common Council will take up Barrett's budget proposal soon.
