Over 500 Milwaukee County Residents and Employees Engage with Budget Town Hall Process in August
County Executive Crowley successfully led first in-person budget outreach since the onset of the pandemic
MILWAUKEE, WI – On Wednesday, County Executive David Crowley held the last of five town hall events on the 2023 Milwaukee County budget at the Kosciuszko Community Center. In the month of August, 505 County residents and employees engaged with the Budget Town Hall process. The town hall format served as the first in-person opportunity in three years for residents to learn about the County’s vision and mission, get connected to key resources, and share their thoughts regarding the 2023 budget.
“Thank you to the County residents who attended town hall events over the last two weeks. Government should be open, honest, and transparent with the people we serve and the best way to make sure that happens is for the public to engage in opportunities to hold us all accountable,” said Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. “This was the first time we’ve had in-person budget town halls during my tenure as County Executive. I was able to have great face-to-face conversations about how we can make investments to improve quality of life for our residents. At the same time, we were able to have candid and sobering conversations about the financial constraints we face and how residents can help us get the tools we need to capture economic activity, raise revenue, and invest those dollars in local priorities.”
In-person budget townhalls were held August 15, 18, 22, and 24 at Nicolet High School, Washington Park Senior Center, Oak Creek City Hall, and Kosciuszko Community Center. A virtual town hall was held on August 23. Download a copy of the 2023 Budget Town Hall presentation.
“Over the past two weeks we’ve heard from hundreds of residents and learned about their budget priorities. I look forward to working with the Office on Strategy, Budget and Performance, as well as the County Board of Supervisors, to pass a budget that meets the needs of our residents while maintaining fiscal responsibility that doesn’t jeopardize our county’s future,” concluded County Executive Crowley.
Along with holding in-person town halls, the County also launched the Balancing Act online budgeting tool. Balancing Act offers a transparent look at the budget process, an opportunity to communicate community preferences on expenditure and revenue options, and a measure of accountability once the recommended budget is introduced by the County Executive and the final budget is signed in the fall. Residents still have until August 26 at 5 PM to participate in the Milwaukee County Balancing Act online tool.
County Executive David Crowley will introduce the Recommended 2023 Budget in September. Details of the 2022 Milwaukee County Budget Address will be announced in the coming weeks.
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