Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley Statement on Passage of 2021 County Budget

Today, the Milwaukee County Board voted 14-4 on passage of the 2021 County Budget which takes the first steps in implementing the County’s strategic plan to achieve racial equity and become the healthiest county in Wisconsin. Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley released the following statement after passage:

“The 2021 budget sets Milwaukee County on a course of change by putting into action a strategic plan to implement our vision to achieve racial equity and become the healthiest county in Wisconsin. I’m glad that the Milwaukee County Board shares that vision and passed a budget that continues investments in children, families, public safety, parks, public transportation, neighborhood services and the County’s workforce. Throughout the entire budget creation process, the County Board has been a committed partner in implementing our shared vision and begin making investments in equity for communities across Milwaukee County.

“We faced a challenging budget in the wake of an ongoing structural deficit, a worsening COVID-19 pandemic, and the public demand to dismantle generations of systemic racism that kept Milwaukee County residents from getting ahead. Despite all of these factors, we’re taking the first steps to create a culture of inclusion where decision makers represent the full diversity of the county.

“With this budget, we’re taking an aggressive approach to bridge the gap in health disparities by advancing a No Wrong Door model of customer service to create easier access to quality care. Each step towards breaking down the silos that currently exist within county government makes the best use of our limited resources by improving the way we work together and increasing access to services for all county residents.

“The Recommended 2021 Budget took steps to invest in equity by providing resources for people and communities that have historically been underserved. I was happy to support the Finance Committee's budget amendment, authored by Chairwoman Nicholson, that enhanced our investments in equity by providing more resources for our parks, zoo, libraries, housing supports, senior services, and youth programming.

“Despite the challenges, the budget takes a creative approach to implement the strategic plan and work toward achieving Milwaukee County’s long-term goals of achieving racial equity and becoming the healthiest county in Wisconsin.

“With the implementation of a racial equity focused strategic plan — the first strategic plan to be developed in Milwaukee County government in over 20 years — Milwaukee County has every reason to feel optimistic that we can recover from the current public health crisis, improve outcomes for Milwaukee County residents, and bounce back even better than ever before.” 

Following the County Board’s passage of the 2021 budget as amended, the budget is sent to the County Executive to sign or submit vetoes by Friday, Nov. 13, 2020.