Milwaukee Common Council explores potential 2027 budget gaps to buy new MFD firetrucks
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee is one step closer to replacing its old firetrucks.
On Tuesday, Jan. 20, the Milwaukee Common Council passed a resolution to explore what money is available for public safety, which included using sales tax revenue to buy firetrucks.
The Milwaukee Fire Department has an aging fleet, which local leaders have agreed puts public safety at risk.
To help with this concern, even though we are only in mid-January, Milwaukee's Common Council is already looking at next year's budget to buy more firetrucks.
"It's fairly straightforward, sales tax revenue is certainly limited based on act 12," said Alderman Peter Burgelis.
The city's budget director, Nik Kovac, says Act 12 limits sale tax revenue to be spent on pension, staffing and equipment for police and fire departments.
"Our sales tax revenue generates over $200 million of revenue each year," said Alderman Burgelis.
Alderman Burgelis says the sales tax revenue was higher than projected in the last year but that additional money went to pay for the new contract for the Milwaukee Police Association.
"We certainly have to make sure our people are paid a fair wage, but we also have to make sure all of our public safety officers -- police and fire -- have the tools and services they need to do their job safely," said Alderman Burgelis.
Back in November, the Milwaukee Common Council overruled seven of Mayor Cavalier Johnson's vetoes, including to give more money to Milwaukee Fire Department to replace its aging fleet.
After the veto, the common council ended up giving the fire department $10 million, Alderman Burgelis says that is just the start for what's needed.
"Next year frankly we are going to have to do the exact same amount the next year 2028 we can probably get by with a little less than $10 million," Alderman Burgelis explained.
Alderman Burgelis says exploring where they can find that additional money now will make sure the fire department doesn't fall through the cracks when the 2027 budget is proposed this fall.
"I want to make sure we know what options we have to pay for firetrucks that we need that includes sale tax revenue," said Alderman Burgelis.
Alderman Burgelis says another way the city can pay for firetrucks is by using community development block grants but he says that would take away funding for neighborhood organizations that do important work in our community.