Thursday, September 24, 2026·Focal News

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Milwaukee road repairs would get record funding under Johnson’s proposed 2027 budget

Mayor Cavalier Johnson is seeking $2.26 billion for Milwaukee in 2027, including a record $19.2 million for local streets. The plan would raise parking costs, city service fees and property taxes to help pay for road work and other priorities.

Milwaukee road repairs would get record funding under Johnson’s proposed 2027 budget
MILWAUKEE — Mayor Cavalier Johnson presented a $2.26 billion 2027 budget proposal Tuesday that would increase several costs for residents while directing record funding toward local street repairs. The proposal sets aside $19.2 million for local road improvements, which Johnson described as the largest amount ever proposed for Milwaukee streets. The mayor said feedback from thousands of residents who participated in a city survey this summer identified roadway conditions as their top concern. To generate an estimated $6 million for road work, the plan would increase every parking-ticket fine by $10. Annual overnight parking permits would rise from $55 to $110, while downtown parking meters would start at $3 per hour, up from a rate of $2.25 at most meters now. The proposed budget also calls for a 3% increase in city service fees, including charges for trash collection and snow removal. Property taxes would increase by 3%; the proposal estimates that the change would cost an average Wisconsin homeowner about $45.50 per year. City employees would receive a 2% pay increase. Beyond roads, Johnson’s plan includes funding for a new library in the Midtown neighborhood and a public works facility to replace the city’s existing Canal Street building. It also would provide additional resources to the Milwaukee Fire Department to staff another engine or truck. The proposal is not final. The Common Council is scheduled to review it throughout October, with public hearings set for Oct. 5 and Oct. 17. Council members are scheduled to vote on the budget Nov. 6.

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