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Board of Supervisors
 

Budget Process

Milwaukee County Budget Process

The Milwaukee County budget is an important document that serves several purposes. First, the budget serves as a financial and operational blueprint that aids departmental administrators in the delivery of needed services. Second, it functions as a statement of policy developed and approved by the County's elected officials. Finally, the budget is a source of information for the general public, empowering the public to better understand the many functions of County government, county operations and how resources are allocated in furtherance of the County's mission.  

In June, all Milwaukee County departments submit budget requests to the County Executive's Administration. Milwaukee County was the first municipality in the nation to declare racism a public health crisis in April 2019, and all departments now use the County's "Racial Equity Budget Tool," a structured process that applies a racial equity analysis to critically assess the impacts of budget decisions on communities of color. 

A summary of departmental requests is released on or before August 15. The County Executive holds public meetings in August and September to gather public input before finalizing their budget proposal. State Statutes require the County Executive to submit their budget proposal to the County Board by Oct. 1. The County Executive's proposal is known as the "Recommended Budget."

After the County Board of Supervisors receives the Recommended Budget, the Research Division of the Comptroller's office provides Supervisors with an independent analysis of the Recommended Budget, known as the "Overview." Staff from the Research Division then works with Supervisors to develop and draft budget amendments that are considered by the Finance Committee during the month of October. 

During the budget process, many Supervisors host town hall style meetings to seek input on the Recommended Budget from their constituents. State Statues require the Board of Supervisors to host an annual public hearing on the following year's budget no later than the first Monday in November. After the annual public hearing, Supervisors may propose additional amendments to the Finance Committee, which then approves an amended budget.  
After the Finance Committee approves an amended budget, the full County Board holds a budget adoption meeting. Supervisors vote to adopt or reject proposed budget amendments, and then vote on a final version of the budget, which is called the Adopted Budget. The Adopted Budget then goes to the County Executive for their signature. The County Executive can veto any part of the Adopted Budget. If the County Executive issues vetoes, the Board of Supervisors then has a final opportunity to meet where they vote to accept the Executive's vetoes or reject them.

Constituent Budget Resources