County Executive David Crowley Applauds County Board Unanimously Voting for Investments in Public Safety, Affordable Housing, and Area Youth  

MILWAUKEE, WI – Late last week, during its last meeting of the year, the County Board voted unanimously to make further investments to advance the County’s strategic plan to advance race and health equity by making investments in public safety, affordable housing, and area youth. 

“I continue to be encouraged by the strong partnership with the County Board and the progress we are making in our journey to achieve racial equity and become the healthiest county in Wisconsin,” said County Executive David Crowley. “As we close out another year, I look forward to the opportunities ahead of us to continue our progress towards racial equity and improving the health of all Milwaukee County residents. Although challenges lie ahead, the past two years have shown we are a resilient community that can find smart solutions to the obstacles we face to deliver on the core functions of government on behalf of our constituents. Thank you to the Chairwoman Nicholson for her leadership and the entire County Board for their commitment to our shared vision for Milwaukee County.” 

In its final meeting of 2022, the County Board unanimously voted to release funding from allocated contingency as proposed in the 2023 Budget for the construction of the Center for Forensic Science and Protective Medicine facility to house Milwaukee County's Offices of the Medical Examiner and Emergency Management. In emergency situations, the space will provide a central location and build a structure for municipalities to utilize when they need to coordinate quickly.  Co-locating the Medical Examiner’s Office, the Office of Emergency Management, and the State Crime Lab will take emergency response coordination to a level never previously seen in Wisconsin by allowing us to provide services to roughly 20 different counties throughout the state. This will enhance public safety, save lives, and allow for more efficient and cost-effective responses to emergency situations.

The Board also voted to execute contracts for Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity, Inc. and Emen Group LLC to build a total of 132 affordable homes in the King Park Neighborhood. The long-term revitalization of the King Park Neighborhood took additional step forward with the $6 million investment for the construction of new homes in the King Park Neighborhood – with financing provided from the State of Wisconsin Neighborhood Investment Fund.

In one of its final acts of the year, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to confirmed 18 area youth selected to serve on the 2023-2024 Milwaukee County Youth Commission. Revived earlier this year through a resolution co-authored by the County Executive and County Board Chairwoman, the Youth Commission provides young people in Milwaukee County with a unique experience in community service, civic engagement, and policy and budget decision-making.

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