Milwaukee Common Council adopts city's 2020 budget

Updated: 8:20 p.m. on November 8, 2019

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee Common Council adopted an amended 2020 city of Milwaukee budget in the amount of approximately $1.61 billion.

Among the top priorities in this year's budget are public safety and reckless driving.

The budget also establishes a Birthing Moms Pilot Program that would support mothers and families with newborns leaving hospitals in areas where blood lead levels among children are elevated.

Families in these areas would leave the hospital with a kit that contains a water filter and other lead related educational materials.

Some additional budget amendments include:

Funding to restore bi-weekly street sweeping and the creation of a complaint-based rapid response team to support neighborhood cleanliness

Funding for an Emergency Housing Program

$1.2 million for alley reconstruction

Funding for a Healthy Food Access Coordinator

Funding to install baby changing stations in restrooms at city libraries and clinics

Funding for an additional Recruiter and Testing Coordinator within the Fire and Police Commission

An average homeowner will pay $60.37 more compared to 2019's budget.

The budget will now head to Mayor Tom Barrett who will have until the close of business on Nov. 19 to sign the budget.

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Posted: 12:45 p.m. on November 8, 2019

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee Common Council is set to adopt the city's $1.6 billion 2020 budget on Friday.

In the morning, the council had already approved several amendments.

One of the approved amendments includes directing the Department of Administration to research and design a potential universal basic income program.

The program would provide $500 to 50 families living at or below the poverty line.

The potential program is based on a similar one in Stockton, California.

"Someone can say this is a handout, I beg to differ. This is not a handout, but a help up," 9th District Alderwoman Chantia Lewis said. "This is access to something that would help create financial freedom, relieve some of the stress."

It also passed an amendment allocating $500,000 in funding for the Multimodal Transportation Capital program meant to support pedestrian safety.

The Common Council is expected to adopt the 2020 budget Friday afternoon.



