Mayor Cavalier Johnson presents proposal for 2025 Milwaukee budget

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Mayor Cavalier Johnson presented his $2 billion budget proposal to the Common Council with hopes of addressing issues like public safety, reckless driving, and Milwaukee's economy.

"There are never sufficient resources to accomplish all we want for Milwaukee. Difficult decisions are consistently part of the process," he said during his remarks to council members. While Mayor Johnson says his 2025 budget lays out the path forward for Milwaukee, he also acknowledged budget challenges.

"If you look at the budget, what we have asked departments to do was to look for a 5% cut – opportunities to cut in their budgets. That was one of the things that the state, via Act 12, asked us to do," he said.

The 2023 government funding law known as Act 12 allowed Milwaukee to enact its 2% sales tax to boost shared revenue, but also increased certain costs for the city.

There was a brief interruption from a small group of protesters during the mayor’s speech. The group expressed concerns about the city's investment in the police department.

"Your budget continues to fail Milwaukee," the protesters yelled inside council chambers while holding signs. Protesters called on council members to reject the mayor's budget proposal. "Spending $300 million will not keep Milwaukee safe," they chanted.

Much like the 2024 budget, the new proposal looks to keep growing staffing for the police and fire departments, which Act 12 requires. The 2025 budget includes a $314 million investment in the Milwaukee Police Department.

"Act 12 is very clear about the responsibility that we have to make investments in the police department. And the fire department. Those are things that I wanted to do anyway. Public safety is very, very important to me," the mayor said when asked about the protesters interrupting his speech.

The mayor’s budget also includes a 2% increase in the property tax levy. Other priorities mentioned in his proposal include addressing violence, and Milwaukee's economy, while supporting continued tourism growth.

He also mentioned investing in portable cameras on the roads to help hold reckless drivers accountable. "These cameras will allow for us to be able to get more info about vehicles that are speeding," Mayor Johnson said.

The council now has the next month to make amendments before officially adopting the budget in November. The mayor then has to sign off on any changes. Public comments will also be considered during a finance committee meeting next week.