MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson proposed the 2026 budget to the Milwaukee Common Council on Tuesday, Sept. 24.

In a $2 billion proposal, Johnson said the cost to continue this year’s programs and service levels for 2026 exceeded projected revenue by $100 million.

"That’s one of the largest gaps this city has ever seen,” Johnson said.

To close the gap, and avoid layoffs, Johnson said city user fees will increase about 4%, the property tax levy will go up 3%, and the vehicle registration fee will increase by ten dollars.

“We have a statutory obligation to balance our budget, and we have a moral obligation to balance that budget in a way that is both responsible and sustainable. I have pushed every department to continue looking for ways to do their work better.” Johnson said.

The mayor highlighted investments in housing, infrastructure, and libraries. You can find a link with a breakdown of the budget here.

Milwaukee Police Department investment, criticism from state senator

Johnson said in his budget address that he will fund the training for the maximum number of police recruits at the academy.

In a press release on Tuesday, Sept. 23, State Senator Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) released data showing that nearly between 90-99% of the revenue Milwaukee received under 2023 Act 12 was spent on raises for city employees, including the mayor and common council, and its unfunded pension obligation. 

“The Legislature passed Act 12 to help Milwaukee avoid bankruptcy due to its underfunded pension, and to improve public safety,” said Wanggaard. “I started looking at this to see how Milwaukee spent their Act 12 money. I never expected to fall down this rabbit hole. While I’m glad they’re paying off the pension as required, it appears they’re more interested in rewarding everyone from the mayor to the dog catcher with raises, rather than investing in police and public safety.”

Johnson said he believes the timeframe Wanggaard references was cherrypicked so that the pay increases for police are vastly understated. Johnson said a timeframe that went back to 2008 would show police pay increases far surpassed, even more than doubled, the pay of general city employees.

“For the senator to cherry pick at the last increase police officers got, in my administration by the way, and say that there’s a problem with the way we’re allocating money, that’s disingenuous, it’s just wrong, and obviously he didn’t read the bill,” Johnson said.

Milwaukee Police Association (MPA) President Alex Ayala tells CBS 58 arbitration hearings regarding police contracts are underway this week. As these back-and-forth discussions with the police union and the city have been ongoing, Johnson said the city is offering the union a 9% increase and a higher raise could impact the budget.

“If the union were to get what they talked about, that would put a significant gap in our budget, to the tune of millions of dollars,” Johnson said. “We are working with arbitrators right now, that process is happening, and I’m looking forward to the results of it.”

Public feedback

In a joint statement from the members of the Milwaukee Common Council, they will begin the weeks-long process to review, discuss, and amend the proposed budget.

The joint public hearing on Mayor Johnson's proposed 2026 budget will take place at Milwaukee City Hall at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 6.

A public listening session at the new MLK Library on Saturday, October 18 from 9:30 – 11 a.m.

The Milwaukee Common Council is tentatively set to adopt the new budget on Nov. 7.

For those unable to attend one of these meetings, an online survey is available to provide your thoughts and feedback, which you can find here.