MILWAUKEE – Today, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley presented his 2027 Recommended Budget to the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors, unveiling a fiscal plan to close a projected $50 million shortfall while protecting the services residents depend on most. Milwaukee County has adopted a balanced budget every year under Crowley’s leadership, and 2027 will continue that record.
The 2027 Recommended Budget builds on years of fiscal reform under Crowley’s leadership. Since taking office in 2020, Crowley has guided Milwaukee County through a global pandemic, created a dedicated funding source to address legacy pension debt, and led the effort to pass statewide shared revenue reforms, all while maintaining critical public services amid record-high inflation and unreliable state and federal aid. Despite these challenges, Milwaukee County’s tax rate has decreased every year that Crowley has been in office, and in 2027, the County share of property taxes on a $250,000 home is projected to decrease by $30.
“This budget has been built during a moment in our county’s history that demands tough decisions and a clear view of what our residents need,” County Executive Crowley said in his 2027 Recommended Budget Address. “Despite all of these challenges, my priorities have not changed: I am committed to protecting the services our residents rely on every day.”
The 2027 Recommended Budget tackles the Comptroller’s projected shortfall through a combination of new revenue, cost savings, and disciplined spending. To help close the gap, County departments identified nearly $22 million in efficiencies while minimizing cuts to mandated services.
The Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) faces mounting financial pressure, driven by rising operating costs, the expiration of federal ARPA funding, and a state funding shortfall of $34 million tied to reimbursement rates that have remained flat since 2011. To protect service continuity while the County pursues long-term funding solutions, the budget includes a one-time $12.1 million draw from the County’s debt service reserve, preserving transit operations until “MCTS Forward,” a system-wide redesign effort, is complete.
“Real, lasting solutions don’t happen overnight. They take time and careful planning,” County Executive Crowley continued in his address. “While we pursue those longer-term fixes, we can’t let riders bear the cost of delay. Essential transportation services have to keep running while these solutions take shape.”
To address growing financial pressure on Milwaukee County Parks, the budget introduces a new paid parking pilot program at high-demand locations such as the lakefront, projected to generate approximately $670,000 in new revenue reinvested directly into the parks system. Without this pilot, the Parks Department would face difficult cuts, including the possible closure of one pool and 15 splash pads, along with a $300,000 reduction in seasonal staffing.
Public safety services continue to be a focus in the 2027 budget. Driven by overtime costs and staffing challenges, expenditures within the Sheriff’s Office continue to increase. Since 2020, funding for public safety services has increased by 48%, while the share of tax levy dedicated to public safety has only increased by 13%.
The 2027 Recommended Capital Budget allocates approximately $162 million toward projects financed through cash, bonding, and external revenue, reflecting nearly all of the Capital Improvements Committee’s recommendations. This includes $30 million for Parks infrastructure — including $5 million toward the six-year, $30 million Mitchell Park Domes rehabilitation and $5.2 million for ten playground improvements — and $25.5 million in County and federal funds directed to the Department of Transportation for traffic-calming measures expected to reduce fatal and serious injury crashes by 26 to 50%, advancing the County’s goal of zero roadway fatalities by 2037.
“Year after year, we collectively take on what can feel like an impossible task: preserving the services our residents rely on, investing in the critical infrastructure that will serve generations to come, and maintaining financial stability without placing that burden on our taxpayers,” County Executive Crowley concluded in his address. “It is not an easy task, but the challenges we face here are not unique to Milwaukee County. The rest of the state is watching how we respond, how we solve problems, and how we lead. Because what’s good for Milwaukee County is good for Wisconsin. Together, we’ve delivered real, tangible wins for Milwaukee County that have moved us closer to our goal of generational fiscal stability.”
Watch the 2027 Recommended Budget Address HERE. Read the 2026 Recommended Budget HERE.
Next, the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors will consider and vote to adopt amendments to the County Executive’s Budget. The Finance Committee will then submit the amended budget to the County Board, which will vote to adopt the final budget in early November. Learn more about the Milwaukee County budget process HERE.
