2010 Budget Concerns
On September 24, the County Executive proposed his Recommended 2010 Budget to the County Board. I have spent much of October scrutinizing this budget at the Finance & Audit Committee’s budget hearings.
I support some, but not all, of the County Executive’s proposals.
Many of the items in his budget rely on the millions of dollars in stimulus funds that the Board had to fight to get. The County Board had to override the County Executive’s vetoes to make this happen.
I share the County Executive’s goal to control spending. I have questioned carefully whether we should borrow to increase spending by $80 million as he has proposed.
Property taxes are maxed out. I know we have high unemployment and a rise in foreclosures for homeowners. I am working hard to find ways to keep our budget in line and limit taxes.
We will need options to address Milwaukee County's budget shortfall. I expect employees to make realistic sacrifices. Furlough days for nonessential services are a way to accomplish this. User fees like parking meters along Lincoln Memorial Drive and lakefront parking areas are an option to more fairly collect funding from non-County residents instead of only County property taxpayers.
At the same time, our County has a legal responsibility to fund many programs, like the courts and corrections systems as well as those that support seniors, people with disabilities or mental illness and struggling families. In addition, with this bad economy, more people need County buses to get to work. Families depend on our Sheriff’s Department and paramedics program. These are just a few of the many issues we must keep in mind as we finalize the 2010 budget.
Budget Meetings
Prior to 2010 Budget adoption, the Board will hold a public hearing on Monday, November 2, at 7 pm, at the Washington Park Senior Center Main Hall, 4420 W. Vliet St., Milwaukee. Concerned residents may speak about their budget concerns at this meeting. All Supervisors will be present.
The full Board will meet on Monday, November 9, to adopt the 2010 Budget and if necessary on Wednesday, November 18, to consider vetoes from the Executive.
Furlough Days
As we try to close a budget gap, expect the closing of Milwaukee County nonessential offices for four days in 2009: Friday, November 13; Wednesday, November 25; Friday, December 4; and Thursday, December 24. Unfortunately, furlough days mean less service for Milwaukee County but the County Board and County Executive have found these measures necessary to help address the 2009 budget shortfall.
Recognizing Milwaukee County Parks
The Milwaukee County Parks Department won the 2009 National Gold Medal for Excellence Award in Park and Recreation Management Program from the National Recreation and Park Association. This award is testimony of Parks Director Sue Black’s ability to do more with less. She and her staff were selected based on their excellent long-range planning and resource management as well as a 12-minute video, which you can view here.
Saving Our Parks
Our Parks are facing a crisis. They have over $300 million dollars in deferred maintenance. The State has mandated that our County provide essential services and yet the State has continuously cut funding for the mandates. Parks are forced to take a cut in the County budget so we can maintain mandated services. In his 2010 Recommended Budget, the County Executive has proposed cutting 34 of 48 parks maintenance staff.
Although a majority of Milwaukee County voters requested property tax relief and funding Parks with less than a half percent sales tax, the Governor vetoed the enabling legislation in the budget. Some State representatives are working to fund Parks this way, but I am not sure if this measure will succeed in the State Senate. The future of our Milwaukee County Parks hangs in uncertainty until stable funding is established.
Overwhelming Support for the Hoan Bridge
Over 7,500 Wisconsin residents have signed the petition in support of the Hoan Bridge and signatures continue to pour in daily. The coordinating committee of the Coalition to Save the Hoan will soon send a letter along with the thousands of signatures we have gathered to Governor Doyle and Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Frank Busalacchi.
After hearing from many of us about the significance of the Hoan, the DOT is already distancing itself from proposals to demolish the bridge. If you have not yet informed State decision makers of your opinion on this issue, you can make your voice heard by leaving a message for the following people:
State legislators, found here
Cuts to Paratransit
The State has cut $2 million in funding to Transit Plus which provides transportation to residents with disabilities. In response, the County Executive has proposed in 2010 reducing paratransit service to only areas ¾ of a mile from bus routes. This would leave residents of Oak Creek and other areas without transportation to work, medical appointments, and other activities. The State of Wisconsin needs to restore funding so that residents have access to important destinations. The State has recently indicated that changes will not take effect until 2011. I expect a solution from State officials.
Two Pieces of History in Our Own Backyard
The Milwaukee County Historical Society has selected Sheridan Park and Oak Creek Historical Society Complex for designation as Milwaukee County Landmarks. Former Friends of Sheridan Park leader Raynelle Heil submitted the initial application for the designation. Current members of the reinvigorated Sheridan Park Friends testified on behalf of Sheridan Park. Nancy and Elroy Honadel spoke about the special significance of the Oak Creek Historical Society Complex. The Society maintains five buildings with period furnishings and provides tours to educate to school and scout groups. Congratulations to these dedicated organizations on their achievement!
Milwaukee Justice Center
The Milwaukee Bar Association, Milwaukee County, and Marquette Law School have partnered to create the Milwaukee Justice Center (MJC) to provide free legal assistance to unrepresented litigants through court-based self-help desks and legal resources. Many County residents are unable to afford legal representation, and as a result their access to justice is severely limited. The MJC aims to bridge this gap.
Self-Help Desk
Volunteers in Room G9 of the Courthouse assist self-represented litigants in filling out forms and obtaining step-by-step instructions for filing in family law and small claims cases. Clients come in for help by appointment or during the clinic’s walk-in hours. Volunteers in this capacity do not give legal advice.
Family Law Issues: Monday–Wednesday 11 a.m.–2 p.m. & Friday 8:30 a.m.–11 a.m.
Appointments for assistance with family law paperwork can be made in person in Room 104P of the Courthouse, by phone (414) 278-2912, or email ctimail@wicourts.gov
Small Claims Issues: Thursday 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Volunteer Legal Clinic
Marquette Law School’s Volunteer Legal Clinic program is helping to provide a brief legal advice clinic. Volunteer attorneys counsel self-represented litigants for 20 to 30 minutes. This essential service provides legal advice to people who cannot afford an attorney. Assistance provided is limited to the meeting time and does not create an ongoing attorney-client relationship.
Volunteer Legal Clinic: Friday 2 p.m.–4 p.m.
Pro Se Workshops
Volunteer attorneys lead workshops for self-represented litigants on a variety of legal issues involving family law and small claims.
Community Calendar
Monday, November 2 – Milwaukee County Board Public Hearing on 2010 Budget, 7pm
The public may give comments. At Washington Park Senior Center Main Hall, 4420 W. Vliet St., Milwaukee.
Thursday, November 5 – County Board Meeting, 9:30am
At Milwaukee County Courthouse, Room 200
Saturday, November 7 – Starry Night Dinner & Auction, 6-11pm
To benefit the restoration of the Historic South Milwaukee Mill Pond & surrounded area. At Italian Conference Center, Milwaukee. Contact 571-1191 for last-chance registration and purchase of a $50 ticket. www.southmilwaukee.org/temp/STARRY_NIGHT.pdf
Monday, November 9 – Budget Adoption, 8:30am
At Milwaukee County Courthouse, Room 200
Tuesday, November 10 – Friends of Mill Pond meeting, 6:30pm
At Marquette Manor (2409 10th Av, South Milwaukee). 571-1191
Thursday, November 12 – Friends of Grant Park meeting, 7pm
At Grant Park Clubhouse (100 Hawthorne Av, South Milwaukee). 764-0612
Saturday, November 14 – Weed-Out in Grant Park, 9am or 1pm session
Help clear buckthorn (for those age 18+), “grapevine,” etc. Meet at Picnic Area 1 parking lot (near tennis courts) at Grant Park.
Saturday, November 14 – Holiday Bazaar, 1pm
FREE admission. Baked goods, homemade crafts, wonderful raffle items, white elephant/rummage sale, and lunch items available. At Grobschmidt Senior Center, 2424 15th Av., South Milwaukee.
Grant Park “Park Watch” No meetings in November and December
Wednesday, November 19 – County Board Considers Possible Vetoes if Necessary, 1:30pm
At Milwaukee County Courthouse, Room 200
Saturday, November 21 – Annual Heritage Place Tree Lighting, 3-5pm
Enjoy music, hot cocoa, and a visit with Santa. At 10th & Milwaukee Av., northwest corner, South Milwaukee. Sponsored by South Milwaukee Association of Commerce.
Saturday, November 21 – Movie and Discussion of Alfred Hitchcock’s “Notorious,” 1pm
At South Milwaukee Library, 1907 S. 10th Av., South Milwaukee.
Tuesday, November 24 – Music Under Glass, 6:30-8:30pm
Sunday, November 29 - Old Fashioned Christmas
1pm Parade at 12th & Milwaukee Av. to South Milwaukee City Hall, 2424 15th Av.
At City Hall: Visit with Santa, local choral music, crafts for kids, food, and 5:30pm tree lighting. Help make this event possible! Contact Bob Pfeiffer at 768-8195 to volunteer. Please consider a tax-deductible donation to the Old Fashioned Christmas Foundation, Inc. at 1907 10th Av., South Milwaukee. www.southmilwaukee.org/images/temp/2009 Flyer.pdf