POLITICS

Milwaukee MayorTom Barrett presents budget with $20 million to prevent lead poisoning

Mary Spicuzza
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

The city's troubled Health Department would get a $7.6 million boost to help prevent lead poisoning under the 2019 budget plan Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett presented Tuesday at City Hall.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett gives his budget address Tuesday.

The money, part of a $20 million package devoted to lead poisoning prevention, would be used in part to fund the removal of lead paint and other hazards from homes. It comes after months of turmoil for Milwaukee's health agency.

"I am adding resources to the Health Department where administrative and program lapses have failed Milwaukee residents and tarnished the department's reputation," Barrett said during his budget address to the Common Council.

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Problems with the department's handling of its program aimed at preventing lead poisoning among Milwaukee children have led its former leader to step down. At least five other staffers have faced discipline, including a firing, resignation, suspensions and written warnings.

"We all know there have been problems in the Health Department," Barrett said. "We are refocusing our efforts to make sure the department continues to move in a positive direction."

Barrett also praised Jeanette Kowalik, the city's new health commissioner, in his address.

"Her approach is renewing my confidence in the Milwaukee Health Department," Barrett said.

Barrett's budget proposal includes another $12.4 million for Milwaukee Water Works efforts to reduce lead hazards in water. That includes replacing 1,000 lead laterals and distributing filters to residents.

Taxes and fees would increase by a total of about $49.58 for the owner of a $109,000 home under Barrett's plan

No cuts to Fire Department

Barrett’s budget also would include a slight increase in the number of Milwaukee police officers and no cuts to the city’s Fire Department. That’s in stark contrast to last year’s budget, which forced the closure of six fire stations. 

His proposal includes funding for 100 new police recruits, which would amount to a 10-officer increase in the department’s sworn strength. That’s because many of those new hires would replace longtime officers who are retiring.

Increase in taxes and fees

The tax levy would increase by 2.4% and fees would increase by 3% under Barrett’s budget plan.

Barrett opened his speech talking about the financial challenges facing the city, specifically citing concerns over pensions and the state's shared revenue system.

"Unfortunately, the state seems to have forgotten the word 'shared,'" Barrett said.

He called the situation "fundamentally unfair."

"Thousands of thousands of people commute daily to Milwaukee from surrounding communities and visitors from out of town stay in our hotels, make millions of visits to local attractions and enjoy our public spaces," Barrett said. "Yet, the state says they should contribute nothing to pay for police and fire protection for local streets? Nothing. Absolutely nothing."

Ald. Milele Coggs, chairwoman of the powerful Finance and Personnel Committee, said she wants to make sure those in the greatest need are being served by next year's budget.

"I look forward to delving deeper into the mayor's proposed budget, particularly about the Health Department," Coggs said. "And I look forward to looking at the entirety of the budget to see the ways in which things are being recommended — and that may need to be recommended — to help address the quality of life issues that people are struggling with every day."

Both Alds. Bob Donovan and Mark Borkowski expressed relief that the police and fire departments weren't facing cuts, and commended the focus on addressing problems with the city's lead programs. 

"Certainly, the effort he's putting into the Health Department is long overdue. I'm glad to see that he recognizes that that needs to be done," Donovan said. "The administration has a lot of catch-up to do."

But he added that 10 officers is "a drop in the bucket," and expressed concerns about the high number of police retirements.

Borkowski said the focus on lead poisoning should have been in place for "a while," but added that "beggars can't be choosy."

Ald. Tony Zielinski, a 2020 mayoral candidate, offered the sharpest criticism of Barrett's budget plan.

"The mayor is trying to make up for the catastrophic failure of the Health Department's lead program under his watch," Zielinski said. "Not enough money is being allocated for prevention, outreach and education."

And Robert Miranda of the group Freshwater for Life Action Coalition called the $20 million for Milwaukee's lead programs nothing but "window dressing."

"You can't do anything unless you have a comprehensive strategic plan in place, which he doesn't," Miranda said. 

But after Tuesday's speech, Barrett defended what he called an unprecedented focus on lead poisoning prevention.

"This is the most comprehensive response to lead issues in the city's history," Barrett said. "Devoting $20 million in one budget to this problem tells you that this is something I take it very, very seriously."

Barrett's budget proposal also includes:

  • Devoting $300,000 of the Police Department budget to addressing requirements of the ACLU settlement for its lawsuit over "stop and frisk practices."
  • Hiring two additional Fire Department staffers to help frequent 911 callers in an effort to reduce emergency calls.
  • Improving 25 miles of roads and replacing 23 miles of sewers.