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Milwaukee Libraries, Fire Department Funds Saved for Now
The Milwaukee Common Council overruled Mayor Cavalier Johnson’s veto. Their vote made him do two things: restore funds to maintain all the library branches and save two fire trucks.
milwaukee – On Tuesday, November 22nd, the Milwaukee Common Council overruled Mayor Cavalier Johnson’s veto. A vote will restore funds and keep all library branches open. Two fire engines are also helpful.
After a council vote reinstated funding, the Milwaukee Public Libraries Board of Trustees met and decided to keep next year’s hours the same as this year’s.
Johnson’s budget proposal cut hours for four unspecified Milwaukee Public Library branches. He also suggested temporarily closing the Martin Luther King branch where FOX6 News was talking to library patrons.
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“I like using the internet for documents and paperwork,” said Brandon Kelly. “It’s very convenient. It’s close by. The commute is very good. It’s a 3 minute drive or a 10 minute walk.”
“It’s great for the community. People in the community can use it for access. They don’t have to travel far to use the computer, they can get whatever they need from the library.” “
There are already plans to demolish the MLK branch and install a new building in its place. But under the mayor’s actions, that would have meant no temporary branch under construction. means that there is
High school sophomore Beyoncé Kelly said, “Finding a ride or finding a route to get to a new place you need to go or a far away library can be tough.” They don’t want to take it away.”
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Funding the library was part of an exchange between the Common Council and the Mayor.
“I have to plan and the city has to plan for the financial cliff that has been projected for some time. We’re in a great position to continue because we need a service without making big cuts all at once,” Johnson said. “I don’t want to cut the library, I don’t want to cut the police, I don’t want to cut the fire station.”
The city’s firefighters’ union praised the Common Council for overruling the mayor’s proposed job cuts.
“Losing two fire stations slows response time,” said Eric Down, president of the Milwaukee Professional Firefighters Association. It’s a game.
To restore funding for the library and fire department, the Common Council tapped $4 million of Milwaukee’s National Rescue Plan Act funding. They have authorized the use of some of the federal funds that have not yet been allocated. Second, they tapped Federal ARPA funds originally planned for lead abatement and streetlight repairs. The Common Council also delayed the first police recruiting class by four pay periods to make room for more funding for libraries and fire departments.
“The mayor respects the process that brought us to this juncture,” said Jeff Fleming, Johnson’s head of public affairs. annual budget. ”
Firefighters’ unions are still sounding alarm bells about the future.
“We need help. We know the impending doom lies with the city. We know the city is in financial trouble. We need help from the state,” Down said.
Members of the Common Council and the Mayor agree on future issues.
Alderman Marina Dimitrijevich, who chairs the Congressional Budget Committee, said, “If we don’t get the funding we deserve and don’t distribute revenue from the state, we can’t get the city of Milwaukee to do a large scale job. There will be changes,” he warned. She said, “Time’s up. We’re facing a financial crisis, so I don’t think next year will be as creative.”
She noted that while the city is struggling financially, the state itself is seeing a budget surplus of an estimated $6.5 billion.
City leaders say they are worried about the future. They point to a looming pension problem that drains many of the city’s resources. Second, the Common Council is using her federal COVID-19 relief money to fill the current budget hole, but that temporary funding won’t be available in a few years. Third, the city’s budget chief, Nic Kovac, told his FOX6 that he needs about $150 million a year from the state to return revenue to local governments. .
“I work very hard every day to bring new resources to Milwaukee and build new relationships with legislators, so we don’t have to find ourselves in a situation where we have to cut back on services.” Mr Johnson said.
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