OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Milwaukee Finance & Personnel Committee Meeting Summary – April 15, 2026

Common Council — Wednesday, April 15, 2026
BodyMilwaukee, Wisconsin
SessionCommon Council
DateWednesday, April 15, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:47:08

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Alice Chair Dmitrievich is excused for the meeting today.

0:04

We're joined by Alderman Scott Spiker to my left.

0:07

My far left, Alderwoman Charlotte Moore.

0:12

And at the table by President Perez.

0:15

We have Alderman Mark Chambers on the board joining us as well.

0:21

And no call.

0:22

Alderwoman Meleley Coggs is excused for the time being.

0:26

We'll start with our agenda item number one, file 252055, an ordinance relating to optional holidays sponsored by Alderman Perez.

0:36

Thank you.

0:49

Kind of just the name of Sister Chavez.

0:51

We never want to diminish the work or the outcome of what it is, but considering the news and the allegations, uh, this is just one of several pieces just to uh move forward.

1:01

And I beg I believe this is part of the process for the community to heal.

1:05

And um in order for us to do this, we have to take out the whole section because this was the only optional holiday on the books.

1:13

Okay, thank you very much.

1:15

Any comment from the administration?

1:18

I guess not.

1:19

Um any comment from committee members?

1:22

I so move.

1:23

Alderwoman Moore moves passage of this ordinance.

1:27

Any discussion on that motion?

1:29

Any objection?

1:30

Hearing none, so ordered.

1:32

Thank you very much.

1:33

Moving on to item number two, file two five one four four four resolution directing the comproller's office to provide a quarterly expenditure report for all department accounts, including special funds and special purpose accounts to the common council, sponsored by Alderman Mark Chambers.

1:48

Good morning, Alderman Chambers.

1:50

Good morning, Mr.

1:52

Chairman Committee members.

1:53

Um thank you for having this file be heard.

1:55

Uh this was a budget footnote that stemmed from conversations during the budget process last year.

2:02

Um I think you kind of put a file out that was mirroring this.

2:06

Um this is basically giving us the itemized report of department um spending um and expenditure uh just to give us a heads up of you know helping us in future budget processes.

2:18

Um I want to thank uh comptroller Christian for his hard work in doing this and this flexibility, and I will turn it over to him.

2:26

Um before we go to the department, uh Alder uh President Perez wanted to be able to do that.

2:30

No, I want to just uh thank Alderman Chambers for his leadership and uh the work that the comptrollers have done, and at the appropriate time I want to be added as a co-sponsor.

2:38

Uh President Perez asked unanimous consent to be added as co-sponsor hearing no objections so ordered.

2:42

Any other comments, questions from committee members?

2:46

Comptroller Christensen, welcome.

2:48

Sure.

2:48

Um just a very brief comment.

2:50

Um we're happy to take this on.

2:52

I think it's it's worthwhile, I think it's important.

2:55

Um and the the format in which we give it to you, I I view it as uh kind of a an evolving thing if it's if what we provide initially is um you know not necessarily what uh the sponsor sponsors or or the committee members are looking for.

3:11

Um feel free to let me know what it is exactly you are looking for, and we'll be happy to try to make that happen.

3:16

Appreciate that because the comptroller's always been um our fiscal watchdog and uh not just with the open checkbook uh that's been around for quite some time.

3:25

Um fiscal transparency at the city of Milwaukee is second to none.

3:29

Uh any motions on this item or any more discussion alderman spiker moves uh adoption of the resolution.

3:39

Any objections to that motion?

3:41

Hearing none.

3:41

So ordered.

3:42

Thank you, Alderman Chambers.

3:45

Uh we are uh want to make a note we are also joined now with Alderman uh Alderwoman Malele Cogs has joined us on the board.

3:53

Moving on to item number three, file two five one eight one nine communication from the Department of Administration Information Technology Management Division relating to a summary of cybersecurity training program.

4:03

Uh I had a reminder from our clerk's office team to get my compliance done earlier this week, so I hope that's reflected in the report because we have a uh we have a summary from different departments, correct?

4:18

Welcome um Director Henke.

4:20

Mr.

4:20

Chairman.

4:21

Thank you.

4:21

Uh Alderman Spiker.

4:23

Uh oh, I'm sorry, sponsored by Alderman Spiker.

4:25

Please sponsor.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Technology and Innovation███████████████████████████27%
Personnel Matters██████████████████████22%
Procurement and Contracts█████████████████17%
Police Procedures█████████████13%
Fiscal Sustainability████████8%
Community Engagement██████6%
Procedural█████5%
Pending Litigation██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Milwaukee Finance & Personnel Committee Meeting Summary – April 15, 2026

The Finance and Personnel Committee of the City of Milwaukee, chaired by Ald. Marina Dimitrijevic (excused), convened on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at 9:07 a.m. in City Hall. Present were Ald. Peter Burgelis (Vice-Chair), Ald. Scott P. Spiker, Ald. Milele A. Coggs, and Ald. Sharlen P. Moore. The meeting covered 17 agenda items, including ordinances, resolutions, communications, and approvals related to budgeting, cybersecurity, enterprise resource planning, police department asset forfeiture, fleet auditing, litigation funding, and personnel matters. The meeting adjourned at 10:54 a.m.

Consent Calendar

  • All items were approved with unanimous 4–0 votes (with Chair Dimitrijevic excused) except File #252055 (optional holidays) which passed 3–0 (Ald. Coggs excused).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No public comments were made during the meeting.

Discussion Items

  • Optional Holidays Ordinance (File #252055): Ald. Jose Perez presented an ordinance to remove optional holidays from city code, including Cesar E. Chavez Day. He stated this was part of a process for the community to heal, noting recent news and allegations, and emphasized that removing optional holidays should not diminish the work or outcome associated with them. The committee recommended passage 3–0 (Ald. Coggs excused).
  • Quarterly Expenditure Reporting (File #251444): Ald. Mark Chambers Jr. introduced a resolution directing the Comptroller’s Office to provide quarterly expenditure reports for all departmental accounts, including special funds and special purpose accounts. This originated as a budget footnote from last year's budget process. President Ald. Perez was added as a co-sponsor. The committee recommended adoption 4–0.
  • Cybersecurity Training Status (File #251819): David Henke (ITMD) and Judy Siettmann (ITMD) presented that the city moved from annual to monthly cybersecurity training. Citywide completion was approximately 80% for the first two months of 2026, compared to 30–60% under the annual model. Average training time per learner was 5 minutes per month (60 minutes/year). The committee held the file for further review, with Ald. Spiker noting follow-up with departments below 80% compliance, including the City Attorney's Office, Election Commission, Fire and Police Commission, and MPD. The Budget Office, Comptroller's Office, ITMD, Mayor's Office, and Treasurer's Office achieved 100% compliance.
  • Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System Replacement Status (File #241695): David Henke presented that the go-live date for the Workday system was being extended from June 2026 to September 2026 due to complex integrations, staff turnover (including at Accenture), and unforeseen business priorities. The original project budget (2024–2026) was $23.85 million; the extension adds approximately $1.15 million, bringing the total to $25 million. Funds are expected to be covered by carryover from DOA 2025 budgets. Key risks to the September deadline include payroll testing, financial data conversion, and large punch lists. The committee placed the communication on file 4–0.
  • MPD Asset Forfeiture Fund Transfer (File #251834): Laura Engan (MPD) presented the 2026 Asset Forfeiture Plan. The Equitable Sharing Program (U.S. DOJ) generated revenue that varied from ~$200,000 (2021) to ~$2 million (2022). As of December 31, 2025, the trust fund had ~$1.8 million. The 2026 plan uses ~$1.1 million, leaving ~$785,000 in reserve. About 20% ($215,000) supports community engagement and equipment requested by neighborhoods (e.g., crossing guard signs, speed boards, home security cameras). Additional categories include general equipment ($245,000 for technology), training, and a $108,000 annual lease for Milwaukee Urban Stables (mounted patrol facility). Ald. Coggs raised concerns about the stables’ lease and federal staging; MPD Chief of Staff Heather Hough confirmed steps were taken to prohibit law enforcement staging at the facility. The committee recommended adoption of the substitute resolution 4–0.
  • MPD Fleet Audit Communication (File #252142): Adriana Molina (Comptroller’s Office) and Brian Boguski (CLA) presented an audit of MPD’s fleet procurement-to-disposal lifecycle. One medium-level finding was identified: MPD’s budget and finance SOP lacked detail on fleet procurement and inventory updates. MPD agreed to update the SOP by September 2026. The committee placed the communication on file 4–0.
  • Litigation Funding (File #252006): City Attorney Evan Goyke requested $1,600,000 from the 2026 Common Council Contingent Fund to the Damages and Claims Fund, and $250,000 to the Outside Counsel/Expert Witness Fund. This was the first draw from the $5 million contingent fund, reducing it to ~$3 million. The funds address a large resolved case and five open outside counsel contracts. The committee recommended adoption 4–0.
  • Vacancy Requests (File #252061): The agenda included numerous vacancy fill requests across departments. Notable discussion occurred on MPD custodial worker vacancies (high turnover, retention issues) and DPW’s new Urban Forestry Manager position (backfill due to promotion). The committee approved the communication 4–0.
  • Incentive Pay for Property Management Positions (File #252144): DER recommended adding incentive pay for a real estate broker’s license for the Property Management Supervisor and Property Manager in DCD. Ald. Spiker questioned why this was incentivized rather than required; DCD staff explained it was beneficial but not a minimum requirement. The committee placed the file on file 4–0.
  • Other Items: Several files were approved or placed on file without substantive discussion: classification studies, salary ordinance corrections, travel authorization, and routine contract approvals/waivers.

Key Outcomes

  • File #252055 (Optional Holidays): Recommended for passage 3–0.
  • File #251444 (Quarterly Expenditure Reports): Recommended for adoption 4–0.
  • File #251819 (Cybersecurity Training): Held to call of the chair for quarterly follow-up.
  • File #241695 (ERP Update): Placed on file; extension to September 2026 and $1.15 million cost noted.
  • File #251834 (MPD Asset Forfeiture): Recommended for adoption 4–0 with substitute.
  • File #252142 (MPD Fleet Audit): Placed on file; SOP update due September 2026.
  • File #252006 (Litigation Funding): Recommended for adoption 4–0.
  • File #252061 (Vacancy Requests): Approved 4–0.
  • File #252143 (Director of Compliance & Engagement): Placed on file; new pay range 1X ($110,000–$191,000).
  • File #252144 (Incentive Pay): Placed on file 4–0.
  • All remaining items (8 through 17) were approved or placed on file with 4–0 votes.
  • Meeting adjourned at 10:54 a.m.

Meeting Transcript

Alice Chair Dmitrievich is excused for the meeting today. We're joined by Alderman Scott Spiker to my left. My far left, Alderwoman Charlotte Moore. And at the table by President Perez. We have Alderman Mark Chambers on the board joining us as well. And no call. Alderwoman Meleley Coggs is excused for the time being. We'll start with our agenda item number one, file 252055, an ordinance relating to optional holidays sponsored by Alderman Perez. Thank you. Kind of just the name of Sister Chavez. We never want to diminish the work or the outcome of what it is, but considering the news and the allegations, uh, this is just one of several pieces just to uh move forward. And I beg I believe this is part of the process for the community to heal. And um in order for us to do this, we have to take out the whole section because this was the only optional holiday on the books. Okay, thank you very much. Any comment from the administration? I guess not. Um any comment from committee members? I so move. Alderwoman Moore moves passage of this ordinance. Any discussion on that motion? Any objection? Hearing none, so ordered. Thank you very much. Moving on to item number two, file two five one four four four resolution directing the comproller's office to provide a quarterly expenditure report for all department accounts, including special funds and special purpose accounts to the common council, sponsored by Alderman Mark Chambers. Good morning, Alderman Chambers. Good morning, Mr. Chairman Committee members. Um thank you for having this file be heard. Uh this was a budget footnote that stemmed from conversations during the budget process last year. Um I think you kind of put a file out that was mirroring this. Um this is basically giving us the itemized report of department um spending um and expenditure uh just to give us a heads up of you know helping us in future budget processes. Um I want to thank uh comptroller Christian for his hard work in doing this and this flexibility, and I will turn it over to him. Um before we go to the department, uh Alder uh President Perez wanted to be able to do that. No, I want to just uh thank Alderman Chambers for his leadership and uh the work that the comptrollers have done, and at the appropriate time I want to be added as a co-sponsor. Uh President Perez asked unanimous consent to be added as co-sponsor hearing no objections so ordered. Any other comments, questions from committee members? Comptroller Christensen, welcome. Sure. Um just a very brief comment. Um we're happy to take this on. I think it's it's worthwhile, I think it's important. Um and the the format in which we give it to you, I I view it as uh kind of a an evolving thing if it's if what we provide initially is um you know not necessarily what uh the sponsor sponsors or or the committee members are looking for. Um feel free to let me know what it is exactly you are looking for, and we'll be happy to try to make that happen. Appreciate that because the comptroller's always been um our fiscal watchdog and uh not just with the open checkbook uh that's been around for quite some time. Um fiscal transparency at the city of Milwaukee is second to none. Uh any motions on this item or any more discussion alderman spiker moves uh adoption of the resolution. Any objections to that motion? Hearing none. So ordered. Thank you, Alderman Chambers.

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