The Finance & Personnel Committee of the Milwaukee Common Council held a public hearing at the Milwaukee Public Library’s Martin Luther King Jr. Branch to gather input on the 2026 City of Milwaukee budget. The meeting, led by Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic, included Council President José G. Pérez, Fire Chief Aaron Lipski, and other city officials who met with residents to discuss community priorities, as per the City of Milwaukee release.
Attendees raised several issues they hope to see addressed in the upcoming budget, including lead prevention, maternal health services, and expansion of doula programs. Residents also voiced support for home ownership initiatives, such as down payment assistance, and improvements to library services, flood mitigation efforts, the Environmental Collaboration Office, and city employee compensation.
Council President Pérez noted that public hearings allow city officials to better understand community needs. Committee member Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs emphasized that input from residents helps guide the creation of a budget that reflects community priorities.
As work on the 2026 budget continues, feedback from this hearing will inform ongoing discussions and revisions by the Milwaukee Common Council.
