Crowley presents 2027 Milwaukee County budget, proposes end to Flock camera funding

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley presented his 2027 recommended budget to the County Board on Thursday, Oct. 1, saying it closes a projected $50 million gap while preserving county services.

The budget for Milwaukee County was presented at a total of $1.5 billion ($1,345,197,227 in operating budget expenditure and $162,318,563 in capital budget expenditure). This is up from last year's $1.4 billion. 

Crowley announced the budget proposal will include a 2.55% increase for a tax levy, but he says he expects for homeowners to actually pay less as the rate is going down. He said "the County share of property taxes on a $250,000 home" would actually go down by $30 next year.

"Keeping county property taxes as low as possible is my priority," Crowley said. "Milwaukee County's tax rate has decreased every year I've been in office, and in 2024, we delivered the largest property tax cut in county history."

Other notable items from the proposed budget include a one-time $12.1 million draw from the county's debt reserve in order to help the Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS). 

Crowley also announced he would not continue funding Flock cameras past December's contract expiring. Instead, that money would be used for a program that helps residents facing evictions.

There'd be $5 million going to the rehabilitation of the Mitchell Park Domes, $5.2 million toward improvements to 10 playgrounds, and a 2% raise for Milwaukee County employees.

The county would reportedly gain revenue through a new paid parking pilot program in popular locations like the lakefront and downtown Milwaukee, expected to bring in $670,000.

One of the more contentious and costly items included funding for the "Investing in Justice: Courthouse Complex Project" for the nearly 100-year-old Milwaukee County building.

"This building was not built to meet the needs of a modern justice system," said Kathleen Vincent, Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors. She discussed the safety concerns as well as the deteriorating conditions of the building.

Milwaukee County Supervisor Justin Bielinski expressed he would've rather first looked for philanthropic donors, see if Madison could help fund the project, or consider a non-centralized court system. He voted no on the project, sharing his anger over the very large property tax increase at a moment in which his constituents cannot afford it.

Crowley proposed nearly $16 million in capital funding, and the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution for the more than $800-million project. 

If you have thoughts on the budget you'd like to be considered, there will be a public hearing at 4 pm on Wed., Oct. 14.

Then a final budget will be voted on in November.