MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors approved its amended $1.5 billion budget for 2027 Thursday, despite concerns over a $4.6 million budgeting error disclosed just one day before the vote.
Supervisors voted 17-1 to adopt the spending plan, which includes investments in county parks, youth programs, food assistance and community services while reducing the proposed property tax levy by nearly $700,000.
The budget also removes a proposed pay-to-park program for county parks and lakefront areas.
However, much of Thursday’s discussion focused on a $4.6 million shortfall caused by an error in an automated budget formula.
County officials say the mistake has been corrected and are considering prescription drug rebates, unused capital project funding and departmental savings to address the shortfall.
Supervisors expressed frustration that the error was not disclosed sooner, leaving them little time to review its impact before adopting the budget.
Supervisors Jack Eckblad and Shawn Rolland introduced a budget transparency amendment, which passed unanimously, 18-0.
The amendment requires the county’s Office of Strategy, Budget and Performance to provide a detailed report in January explaining how the error occurred, when it was discovered and what steps will be taken to prevent similar mistakes.
The report must also outline how the county plans to close the shortfall and maintain a balanced budget.
“The budget error is a major problem,” Rolland said. “The loss of trust here is much worse. We should have found out about this immediately.”
Eckblad said supervisors may seek a formal audit if the January report does not provide sufficient answers.
“The buck stops, always stops with the county executive. Whether he made the decisions or not, he put the people there that did and those that then took too long to share,” said Supervisor Steve Taylor, the chair of the Finance Committee.
Taylor says the mistake shouldn’t overshadow the work supervisors have done.
“I don’t want this issue to distract from the fact that we had a job to do and we’re passing a responsible budget,” Taylor said.
Despite the controversy, County Board Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson-Bovell praised the amended budget for preserving important community services.
“Continuing the strong foundation built by County Executive Crowley, the Board is advancing a budget that invests in our community’s priorities, strengthens essential services, and lowers the proposed property tax levy,” Nicholson-Bovell said.
The amended budget now heads to County Executive David Crowley for approval.
If Crowley issues any vetoes, the County Board is scheduled to meet November 12 to consider them.
