MILWAUKEE, WI (WSAU) Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett will present his 2018 budget to the Common Council this week, and it is likely to include public safety cuts and higher taxes.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports Barrett is going to call for a 3.7-percent increase in the city’s property tax levy, adding he told the paper it’s not the budget he wants to present. Barrett said over the last decade the city has “lost hundreds and hundreds of positions.”
It will also include 33 police officer cuts and the loss of 75 firefighter jobs. Barrett notes his original budget plan included over 80 police officer cuts, and he’s pleased that number was brought down.
Barrett would like the city to consider a half-cent sales tax. But only counties, not cities, can pursue a sales tax. Barrett proposes the sales tax be put up for a city-wide referendum in April. It would raise about $35-million.
The MetroSource news wire contributed to this report.
