Number
221365
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. PEREZ, DIMITRIJEVIC, ZAMARRIPA, AND MURPHY
Title
Substitute resolution reserving and appropriating up to $20,000 from the 2023 Department of Administration Operating Account for commissioning a study relating to options for collaboration between the City and County for shared operational services.
Analysis
This resolution appropriates funds up to $20,000 from the 2023 Department of Administration Operating Account for professional services, Account Number 0001-1510-R999-006300 for commissioning a study relating to options for collaboration between the City and County for shared operational services.
Body
Whereas, The financial challenges facing both Milwaukee County and the City of Milwaukee have been documented in numerous reports, presentations, and media outlets for the past several years; and
Whereas, Both governments are grappling with sizable structural imbalances caused by a set of similar financial realities, including a high reliance on shared revenue, restrictions on growth of property tax, substantial pension fund liabilities, and unique expenditure needs that outpace inflation and growth of revenue streams; and
Whereas, These circumstances have worsened for decades, creating increasingly imposing challenges for both governments that have produced reductions in staffing and impacts on service levels; and
Whereas, The impacts of high inflation and labor shortages are likely to leave both governments with even larger structural imbalances after federal pandemic relief dollars have been expended; and
Whereas, City and County leaders have repeatedly, but unsuccessfully, urged State lawmakers to provide fair distribution of shared revenue and enhanced local revenue authority; and
Whereas, Both governments have taken important steps to reduce expenditures, including personnel reductions, increased employee pension contributions, and freezing wages, resulting in increased difficulty with respect to employee recruitment and retention; and
Whereas, There is some overlap in functions performed by both governments, including operational services such as recruitment, pension and benefits administration, procurement, accounting, payroll, budgeting, maintenance and management of buildings and facilities, and information technology and services; and
Whereas, Given the harsh fiscal challenges facing both governments, the commonality in these functions, and the increasing difficulties both are facing, the time has come to explore opportunities for collaborating to share internal services between the City and County; and
Whereas, The Wisconsin Policy Forum proposes a research project that will explore the potential efficacy and benefits of a shared services approach to providing certain operational services between the City and County; and
Whereas, The City and the County intend to share the cost of commissioning the study conducted by the Wisconsin Policy Forum; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that up to $20,000 from the 2023 Department of Administration Operating Account for professional services, Account Number 0001-1510-R999-006300 is reserved and appropriated for commissioning a study relating to options for collaboration between the City and County for shared operational services; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City Comptroller and other appropriate City officials are directed to take all actions necessary to fulfill the intent of this resolution.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB177793-2
Tea B. Norfolk
December 16, 2022