Number
001202
Version
SUBSTITUTE 3
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. HERRON, PRATT, GORDON, BOHL, DONOVAN, HINES, PAWLINSKI, HENNINGSEN, JOHNSON-ODOM, MURPHY, SANCHEZ, CAMERON-ROLLINS, RICHARDS, D'AMATO AND BREIER
Title
Substitute resolution establishing a Strategic Budget Planning Task Force.
Analysis
This resolution creates a 10-member City of Milwaukee Strategic Budget Planning Task Force. The Task Force is directed to investigate the issues that have led to the recent City budget problems and to develop specific actions and policies that can be taken or adopted to put the City on long-term solid financial footing. The Strategic Budget Planning Task Force shall submit a written report of its findings and recommendations to the Common Council by December 31, 2001.
Body
Whereas, In recent years, the City of Milwaukee has faced increasingly severe challenges in developing an annual City budget that is fiscally prudent, maintains City service levels, provides funding for desired new initiatives and results in a tax rate acceptable to Milwaukee property taxpayers; and
Whereas, Formulation of the 2001 Budget was particularly challenging and not only resulted in the first increase in the property tax rate in 13 years, but also included the creation of a $44-per-household solid waste collection fee; and
Whereas, The higher tax rate and new solid waste fee, combined with the recent city-wide property reassessment, mean that the average Milwaukee property owner will pay substantially more in taxes and fees in 2001; and
Whereas, Several long-term trends are responsible for the City's ongoing fiscal problems, including:
1. Salary and benefit (especially health care) costs for City employees have been increasing faster than the rate of inflation.
2. As an older city, Milwaukee has significant infrastructure repair and replacement costs.
3. City revenues, while increasing, have not kept pace with increasing wage and benefit costs.
4. ...
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