Milwaukee’s proposed 2027 budget, traced to every page

The Mayor proposes $2.26 billion across all city funds, including $846.8 million for general city purposes.¹ It is a proposal: the Common Council can change it before adopting the budget in November.²

Where the $2.26 billion would go

Each block is a budget section, sized by its 2027 proposed amount.¹

Has a city property tax rate¹No city property tax rate; paid from its own revenueAGeneral city purposes$143.7 million of it from property tax$846.8 millionBPensions (employee retirement)$84.7 million of it from property tax$273.4 millionCCapital improvements$1.1 million of it from property tax$316.6 millionDCity debt$109.1 million of it from property tax$326.6 millionFCommon Council contingent fund$5.0 million of it from property tax$5.0 millionGTransportation fund$60.2 millionHGrant and aid fund$70.4 millionJWater Works$228.9 millionKSewer maintenance fund$118.6 millionMCounty delinquent taxes fund$9.5 millionNSettlement funds$5.0 millionI. Economic development fund: $0 in 2027, not shown.

Show as table

2027 proposed budget by section, all funds, with 2026 adopted
Section	2026 adopted	2027 proposed
Millions of dollars · bars show 2027 proposed
A.General city purposes¹	815.7	846.8
B.Pensions (employee retirement)¹	261.2	273.4
C.Capital improvements¹	236.7	316.6
D.City debt¹	272.2	326.6
F.Common Council contingent fund¹	5.0	5.0
G.Transportation fund¹	41.2	60.2
H.Grant and aid fund¹	83.9	70.4
I.Economic development fund¹	15.0	0.0
J.Water Works¹	216.9	228.9
K.Sewer maintenance fund¹	113.6	118.6
M.County delinquent taxes fund¹	9.3	9.5
N.Settlement funds¹	5.0	5.0
All funds^a	2,075.7	2,261.1

What departments asked for, and what the Mayor proposed

Largest budgets first. Two citywide lines at the bottom take the departments to general city purposes.^b

Department budgets: 2027 requested, 2027 proposed, and the difference; then the lines that take the departments to general city purposes
Department	2027 requested	2027 proposed	vs. askProposed − requested
Millions of dollars
Police⁶	345.8	343.9	−1.9
Fire⁷	178.8	172.9	−5.9
DPW Operations⁸	116.0	113.7	−2.3
DPW Infrastructure⁹	57.6	54.4	−3.2
Library¹⁰	36.2	35.1	−1.1
Neighborhood Services¹¹	27.0	25.8	−1.2
Emergency Communications¹²	27.2	25.8	−1.4
Administration¹³	26.2	25.1	−1.1
Health¹⁴	25.8	23.0	−2.8
Common Council¹⁵	14.1	13.4	−0.8
City Attorney¹⁶	9.9	9.8	−0.1
City Development¹⁷	8.6	8.7	+0.07
Port¹⁸	7.2	7.3	+0.03
Employee Relations¹⁹	6.9	6.9	−0.02
Comptroller²⁰	6.4	6.6	+0.2
Fire and Police Commission²¹	6.0	6.1	+0.1
Assessor²²	5.9	5.9	−0.01
Treasurer²³	5.0	5.1	+0.09
Municipal Court²⁴	4.4	4.2	−0.2
DPW Administrative Services²⁵	4.3	4.2	−0.2
Elections²⁶	3.9	3.5	−0.4
Community Wellness and Safety²⁷	3.6	2.8	−0.8
Mayor²⁸	2.2	2.3	+0.05
Compliance and Engagement²⁹	1.9	2.1	+0.1
These 24 departments	931.1	908.5	−22.6
Special purpose accounts³⁰		178.9
Fringe benefit offset³¹		−240.6
General city purposes¹		846.8

Where the general city money comes from

$846.8 million in all, largest source first.¹ Property tax supplies $143.7 million (17.0%) of it.³

Sources of funds for general city purposes, 2027 proposed, largest first
Source	2027 proposed	Share
Millions of dollars · bars show 2027 proposed
Intergovernmental revenue (from the state and other governments)⁴	323.3	38.2%
Charges for services⁵	171.7	20.3%
Property tax levy³	143.7	17.0%
Other taxes and payments in lieu of taxes⁴	80.0	9.4%
Tax Stabilization Fund withdrawal³	41.3	4.9%
Miscellaneous revenue³	35.5	4.2%
Fringe benefit reimbursement from other city funds³	28.0	3.3%
Licenses and permits⁴	21.3	2.5%
Fines and forfeitures⁵	2.1	0.2%
General city purposes	846.8	100%

What the Mayor proposes to change most

The 5 largest proposed increases and the 4 proposed decreases, by department, 2026 adopted to 2027 proposed.

Millions of dollars, 2026 adopted to 2027 proposed

Proposed decreaseProposed increase

Show as table

Largest proposed increases
Department	Change from 2026	Percent
Millions of dollars
Police⁶	+33.8	+10.9%
Fire⁷	+7.5	+4.5%
DPW Operations⁸	+5.4	+4.9%
Administration¹³	+2.1	+9.2%
DPW Infrastructure⁹	+2.0	+3.8%

Largest proposed decreases
Department	Change from 2026	Percent
Millions of dollars
Elections²⁶	−1.8	−33.4%
Emergency Communications¹²	−1.4	−5.2%
Neighborhood Services¹¹	−0.04	−0.1%
Municipal Court²⁴	−0.02	−0.4%

Are my property taxes going up?

Under the Mayor’s proposal, the city’s property tax levy would rise while the tax rate would fall, because the total assessed value of property in the city grew.¹ Whether the city’s share of your bill rises depends on how your home’s assessment changed compared with the citywide change. School, county, sewerage district and technical college taxes on the same bill are set separately.

Show as table

City property tax levy and tax rate, 2026 adopted and 2027 proposed
City-wide	2026 adopted	2027 proposed
Property tax levy¹	$336.8 million	$343.6 million
Tax rate per $1,000¹	$7.61	$7.29

Look up your city receipt

Milwaukee street address

City of Milwaukee addresses only. We don’t store what you type.

What’s in the news, and what the budget says

The topics local coverage leads with. Figures come from the budget documents, not from the stories; headlines link to each outlet.

Roads

Public Works, Infrastructure Services Division (streets, bridges, lighting)
$54.4 million⁹proposed, +3.8% from $52.4 million adopted for 2026

In the budget: street, bridge and alley programs, page 128³²; street spending since 2019, page 174³³.

Coverage

Milwaukee mayor introduces $2.2 billion budget proposal for 2027FOX6 News · Sep 22, 2026
Milwaukee mayor’s 2027 budget proposal includes higher parking feesWISN 12 · Sep 22, 2026
Mayor’s Budget Proposal Includes Record Amount For Local StreetsUrban Milwaukee · Sep 20, 2026

Parking

Transportation Fund, which includes city parking
$60.2 million¹proposed, +46.1% from $41.2 million adopted for 2026

In the budget: Parking Services, page 192³⁴.

Coverage

Milwaukee mayor introduces $2.2 billion budget proposal for 2027FOX6 News · Sep 22, 2026
Milwaukee mayor’s 2027 budget proposal includes higher parking feesWISN 12 · Sep 22, 2026
Mayor’s Budget Proposal Includes Record Amount For Local StreetsUrban Milwaukee · Sep 20, 2026

Taxes and fees

City property tax levy
$343.6 million¹proposed, +2.0% from $336.8 million adopted for 2026
City tax rate per $1,000 of assessed value
$7.29¹proposed, −4.2% from $7.61 adopted for 2026
Solid waste (garbage) fee, per household a year
$280.00³⁵proposed, +3.0% from $271.80 adopted for 2026

Coverage

Milwaukee mayor introduces $2.2 billion budget proposal for 2027FOX6 News · Sep 22, 2026
Milwaukee mayor’s 2027 budget proposal includes higher parking feesWISN 12 · Sep 22, 2026

Public safety

Police Department
$343.9 million⁶proposed, +10.9% from $310.1 million adopted for 2026
Fire Department
$172.9 million⁷proposed, +4.5% from $165.4 million adopted for 2026

Coverage

Milwaukee mayor introduces $2.2 billion budget proposal for 2027FOX6 News · Sep 22, 2026

New buildings

New Midtown branch library, 2027 capital budget
$2.0 million³⁶proposed for 2027

Coverage

Milwaukee mayor introduces $2.2 billion budget proposal for 2027FOX6 News · Sep 22, 2026

The budget gap

Our data doesn’t have a 2027 figure for this yet. In the budget: why the city faces a gap each year, page 1³⁷.

Coverage

Milwaukee mayor introduces $2.2 billion budget proposal for 2027FOX6 News · Sep 22, 2026

Find it in the budget

Figures from the coverage, set beside what the budget documents print. The labels describe how the two relate; they don’t judge the reporting.

Rounded
“Milwaukee mayor introduces $2.2 billion budget proposal for 2027” FOX6 News
All city funds, 2027 proposed: $2,261,087,412.¹
About $2.26 billion; the headline rounds down.
Matches the budget
“his $2.26 billion budget proposal for 2027” WISN 12
All city funds, 2027 proposed: $2,261,087,412.¹
Matches the budget
“$19.2 million for local street improvements, the highest amount ever proposed for roads” WISN 12
“The capital budget will include $19.2 million for local road construction” Urban Milwaukee
“The combined total of investments in the HIP and local road reconstruction line items are now proposed to be $19.2 million, the highest total on record.”³⁸
Matches the budget
“A total of $12 million would be allocated to the Department of Public Works high-impact paving program” Urban Milwaukee
“The 2027 capital budget includes $12 million for the high impact street program.”³⁹
Matches the budget
“The 2027 budget would also include $7.2 million for local street reconstruction.” Urban Milwaukee
“In 2027, $7.2 million is included in the budget for the resurfacing and reconstruction of local streets.”³⁹
Matches the budget
“These changes are expected to generate $6 million for road work” WISN 12
“the three changes would yield $6 million a year for the high-impact paving program” Urban Milwaukee
Higher parking permit, citation and meter fees “will allow a $6 million transfer from the Transportation Fund for High Impact Paving (HIP).”³⁸
Not in the budget documents
“increasing parking ticket fines by $10, increasing downtown metered parking from $2.25-per-hour to $3-per-hour, and doubling the cost of overnight parking permits” FOX6 News
“overnight parking permits would double from $55 to $110 annually” WISN 12
“Downtown parking meters would increase from a minimum of $2.25 per hour to $3.” Urban Milwaukee
The budget documents don't print the new prices. They estimate Transportation Fund revenue: parking citations $14,000,000 in 2026 and $21,000,000 proposed for 2027; permits $3,350,000 and $6,000,000; meters $4,634,000 and $6,178,000.⁴⁰
Rounded
“a 3% increase in city service fees like trash services and snow removal” WISN 12
Solid waste fee $271.80 to $280.00 a year; snow and ice $1.19 to $1.23 per foot of frontage; street lighting $1.12 to $1.16 per foot.³⁵
Increases of 3.0% to 3.6% (our calculation from these figures).
A different measure
“a three percent increase in property taxes, which for an average homeowner in Wisconsin is about $45.50 a year” WISN 12
The city property tax levy would go from $336,820,871 to $343,557,288, and the city tax rate from $7.61 to $7.29 per thousand dollars of assessed value.¹
The city levy rises 2.0% (our calculation). The budget doesn't state a change for an average homeowner's bill, which also includes school, county, sewerage district and technical college taxes.
Not in the budget documents
“a two percent raise for city employees” WISN 12
“Funding of future salary increases is provided in the Wages Supplement Fund.”⁴¹
Neither budget document states a percentage for employee raises.
Matches the budget
“Johnson says the city would have $200 million more this year” FOX6 News
“If State Shared Revenues had grown at the rate of inflation, the city would be receiving over $200 million more in State Shared Revenue in 2027 than it is.”⁴²

Have your say before the Council votes

The Common Council reviews and can amend the Mayor’s proposal. There are two hearings where residents can speak, and every step is broadcast on the City Channel.

Thu, Oct 1 to Thu, Oct 15
Next
Departments present their budgets to the Finance and Personnel Committee
City Hall; broadcast on the City Channel (Spectrum 25, AT&T U-Verse 99) and city.milwaukee.gov/Channel25
Watch on TV or online. The full schedule is on the committee’s page. Committee schedule
Mon, Oct 5
6:30 PM
Joint Public Hearing on the Mayor’s proposed 2027 budget
Common Council Chamber, City Hall, 200 E. Wells St.
Speak in person. This hearing is in person only.
Sat, Oct 17
9:30 AM
Finance and Personnel Committee Public Input Hearing
Mitchell Library, 906 W. Historic Mitchell St.
Speak in person, or register in advance to give input virtually. Register to speak virtually
Thu, Oct 29
9:00 AM
Council members’ budget amendments are heard
City Hall; broadcast on the City Channel
Watch. Amendments are filed under Common Council file #260001.
Fri, Nov 6
9:00 AM
Common Council adopts the 2027 budget
Common Council meeting, City Hall
Watch. This is the vote on the final budget.

Budget calendar legal deadlines: the proposed budget is submitted by September 28 and the Common Council acts on the budget by November 14.²

Add all dates to my calendar

Source: Common Council press release, “Common Council Seeks Public Input During 2027 Budget Process,” Ald. Marina Dimitrijevic, Chair of the Finance and Personnel Committee, September 22, 2026. Dates can change; the committee page has the latest schedule.

Sources

All from the City of Milwaukee’s 2027 proposed budget documents.

1.Proposed Plan and Executive Budget Summary, page 7 (PDF page 17).Used for the summary at the top, all city funds, general city purposes, city property tax levy, the tax rate, section A, section B, section C, section D, section F, section G, section H, section I, section J, section K, section M, section N, the revenue summary, general city purposes, the property tax levy and rate, transportation fund, city property tax levy, city tax rate per $1, a news figure, a news figure and a news figure.
2.Proposed Plan and Executive Budget Summary, front matter (PDF page 4).Used for the summary at the top and the legal deadlines.
3.Proposed Plan and Executive Budget Summary, page 162 (PDF page 172).Used for the revenue summary, property tax levy, tax stabilization fund withdrawal, miscellaneous revenue and fringe benefit reimbursement from other city funds.
4.Proposed Plan and Executive Budget Summary, page 160 (PDF page 170).Used for intergovernmental revenue, other taxes and payments in lieu of taxes and licenses and permits.
5.Proposed Plan and Executive Budget Summary, page 161 (PDF page 171).Used for charges for services and fines and forfeitures.
6.Proposed Plan and Executive Budget Summary, page 116 (PDF page 126).Used for Police and police department.
7.Proposed Plan and Executive Budget Summary, page 91 (PDF page 101).Used for Fire and fire department.
8.Proposed Plan and Executive Budget Summary, page 137 (PDF page 147).Used for DPW Operations.
9.Proposed Plan and Executive Budget Summary, page 127 (PDF page 137).Used for DPW Infrastructure and public works.
10.Proposed Plan and Executive Budget Summary, page 100 (PDF page 110).Used for Library.
11.Proposed Plan and Executive Budget Summary, page 112 (PDF page 122).Used for Neighborhood Services.
12.Proposed Plan and Executive Budget Summary, page 77 (PDF page 87).Used for Emergency Communications.
13.Proposed Plan and Executive Budget Summary, page 29 (PDF page 39).Used for Administration.
14.Proposed Plan and Executive Budget Summary, page 95 (PDF page 105).Used for Health.
15.Proposed Plan and Executive Budget Summary, page 60 (PDF page 70).Used for Common Council.
16.Proposed Plan and Executive Budget Summary, page 43 (PDF page 53).Used for City Attorney.
17.Proposed Plan and Executive Budget Summary, page 47 (PDF page 57).Used for City Development.
18.Proposed Plan and Executive Budget Summary, page 121 (PDF page 131).Used for Port.
19.Proposed Plan and Executive Budget Summary, page 81 (PDF page 91).Used for Employee Relations.
20.Proposed Plan and Executive Budget Summary, page 70 (PDF page 80).Used for Comptroller.
21.Proposed Plan and Executive Budget Summary, page 87 (PDF page 97).Used for Fire and Police Commission.
22.Proposed Plan and Executive Budget Summary, page 40 (PDF page 50).Used for Assessor.
23.Proposed Plan and Executive Budget Summary, page 56 (PDF page 66).Used for Treasurer.
24.Proposed Plan and Executive Budget Summary, page 108 (PDF page 118).Used for Municipal Court.
25.Proposed Plan and Executive Budget Summary, page 124 (PDF page 134).Used for DPW Administrative Services.
26.Proposed Plan and Executive Budget Summary, page 74 (PDF page 84).Used for Elections.
27.Proposed Plan and Executive Budget Summary, page 65 (PDF page 75).Used for Community Wellness and Safety.
28.Proposed Plan and Executive Budget Summary, page 105 (PDF page 115).Used for Mayor.
29.Proposed Plan and Executive Budget Summary, page 67 (PDF page 77).Used for Compliance and Engagement.
30.Proposed Detailed Budget, page 400.1, line 2 (PDF page 313).Used for special purpose accounts.
31.Proposed Plan and Executive Budget Summary, page 155 (PDF page 165).Used for the fringe benefit offset.
32.Proposed Plan and Executive Budget Summary, page 128 (PDF page 138).Used for roads coverage.
33.Proposed Plan and Executive Budget Summary, page 174 (PDF page 184).Used for roads coverage.
34.Proposed Plan and Executive Budget Summary, page 192 (PDF page 202).Used for parking coverage.
35.Proposed Plan and Executive Budget Summary, page 159 (PDF page 169).Used for solid waste (garbage) fee and a news figure.
36.Proposed Plan and Executive Budget Summary, page 103 (PDF page 113).Used for new midtown branch library.
37.Proposed Plan and Executive Budget Summary, page 1 (PDF page 11).Used for the budget gap coverage.
38.Proposed Plan and Executive Budget Summary, page 6 (PDF page 16).Used for a news figure and a news figure.
39.Proposed Plan and Executive Budget Summary, page 129 (PDF page 139).Used for a news figure and a news figure.
40.Proposed Plan and Executive Budget Summary, page 190 (PDF page 200).Used for a news figure.
41.Proposed Plan and Executive Budget Summary, page 212 (PDF page 222).Used for a news figure.
42.Proposed Plan and Executive Budget Summary, page 156 (PDF page 166).Used for a news figure.

Notes

a.The budget has no sections lettered E or L.
b.Special purpose accounts are citywide spending lines, such as worker’s compensation, that sit outside any department. The fringe benefit offset removes employee benefit costs that are budgeted twice, in special purpose accounts and again in department budgets, so the city does not levy for them twice.