Milwaukee County residents are getting a chance to weigh in on the 2026 budget with a series of public hearings and town hall events. County Executive David Crowley is set to present the recommended budget to the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors at their meeting on September 30, which will take place at 4:00 PM in room 200 of the Milwaukee County Courthouse, according to a press release from Milwaukee County. Board Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson is calling for community involvement, emphasizing the importance of public input in shaping the budget.
The Board will facilitate several opportunities for the community to participate in the budgeting process. This includes the Finance Committee’s public hearing, a major public hearing at the Mitchell Park Domes scheduled for October 27, and various town hall events to take place across district this fall. Chairwoman Nicholson described the board’s approach as being rooted in "racial equity, preparation, collaboration, sustainability, and decorum," in a statement obtained by Milwaukee County press release. The board's intention is to reflect the community's needs and priorities in the final fiscal decisions.
Following the presentation by Crowley, meetings and events will be streamed live on the County Legislative Information Center (CLIC) for greater accessibility. Residents are encouraged to engage by attending in person or tuning in to these live streams. Updates and further details about how to get involved can be found on the County Board’s website and its social media channels.
For those interested in participating, the Committee on Finance–Budget is scheduled to hold three meetings on Oct. 23, Oct. 24, and Oct. 31 starting at 9 a.m., where they will review and consider budget amendments. The full County Board will then convene for the Annual Budget Adoption Meeting at 9:30 a.m. on November 6. A contingency date for considering any vetoes from the County Executive is set for 1:30 p.m. on November 13, as per details in the press release.
Residents who want to attend the Annual Public Hearing can take note of the following details: doors at the Mitchell Park Domes will open at 5:00 PM, and the hearing itself will begin at 6:00 PM. Prior to the hearing, the public will have free access to the Domes, starting at 5:00 PM. Further information about the Committee on Finance-Budget Public Hearing, which occurs earlier on October 15 at 4:00 PM, and other related events can be found through resources made available by the County.
