Finance & Personnel Committee 2027 Budget Hearings – October 7, 2026

On Wednesday, October 7, 2026, the Finance and Personnel Committee of the Milwaukee Common Council convened at 1:08 p.m. under Chair Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic to review the proposed 2027 budgets for the Election Commission, Department of Neighborhood Services (DNS), and the Board of Zoning Appeals (BOZA). The meeting adjourned at 4:14 p.m. after presentations, extensive questioning, and a motion to hold the communication to the call of the chair.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made during this hearing.

Election Commission

• Presentation: Budget Director Nick Kovac and Election Commissioner Paulina Gutierrez presented the 2027 budget, which totals approximately $1.1 million less than the 2026 adopted budget due to two fewer elections in 2027. The reduction is mainly in temporary staffing and operating expenses, though the cost per election remains unchanged. The budget proposes adding one full-time administrative election specialist and increasing capital equipment funding to $1.37 million for voting machine upgrades to meet VVSG 2.0 standards (Voluntary Voting System Guidelines).
• Discussion: Committee members inquired about staffing levels, poll worker recruitment and retention, bilingual and safety training, early voting locations, special elections contingency planning, and lessons learned from the 2025 ballot shortage crisis. Commissioner Gutierrez noted that the department works on an 18-month election cycle, that 503 pieces of election equipment must be replaced, and that current staffing is stretched thin—especially during high-turnout years. She expressed support for a retention bonus for poll workers and for modernizing operations (e.g., absentee ballot processing currently done by hand). Data requests were made for operational center expenses, poll worker demographic changes over time, number of long-term poll workers, and turnout at early voting locations.
• Key Positions: Commissioner Gutierrez emphasized that the department is under-resourced relative to the complexity of elections in a swing state and that without the ability to use grants, reliance on tax levy is critical. Committee members, particularly Alderwomen Coggs and Taylor, expressed strong support for ensuring adequate funding and for expanding youth and elderly voter engagement.

Department of Neighborhood Services

• Presentation: Budget analyst Nathaniel Haack and DNS Commissioner Jezamil Arroyo-Vega presented a 2027 budget that decreases slightly from 2026. The department is eliminating 13 positions—12 of which were unfilled and tied to the downspout disconnection program (replaced by two funded code enforcement interns) and one unfilled development center liaison position. Revenues are expected to increase by $2.3 million based on stronger collections, plus an additional $1.5 million from fee increases in the omnibus file. Commissioner Arroyo-Vega highlighted core services: code enforcement, permit processing, demolition oversight, and short-term rental registration.
• Discussion: Topics included nuisance property compliance (35% compliance rate after court, with 65% on monthly reinspection), staffing capacity, reorganization of divisions, the downspout disconnection program (largely completed), demolitions (30 completed as of September, with 35 more weather-dependent), illegal dumping (eight citations so far in 2026, with rewards and camera deployment), short-term rental enforcement (420 letters sent, 130 licenses issued, but 290 still noncompliant), construction inspection fees, AI and technology upgrades (open counter portal, electronic plan review), and the use of city fleet vehicles for inspectors. Commissioner Arroyo-Vega stated that the department is at capacity but is optimizing processes; she noted that some inspectors complete eight stops daily while others manage only three. Data requests were made for inspector workloads, demolition lists, short-term rental registry and fines, complaint factors, and recycling noncompliance violators.
• Key Positions: Alderwoman Moore stressed the need to hold landlords accountable and to expand resources for code enforcement, especially in high-complaint districts. Alderman Spiker supported technology investments and asked about the impact of higher fees on permit issuance. Commissioner Arroyo-Vega expressed commitment to using data to inform policy and to improving communication with the council.

Board of Zoning Appeals (BOZA)

• Presentation: Budget analyst Sarah Osborn and BOZA Administrative Manager India Gaar presented a 2027 budget request up 1% from 2026, with a small position authorization adjustment for board vacancies. BOZA hears approximately 700 appeals annually across 12 hearings. The budget includes a six percent fee increase in the omnibus file, expected to generate an additional $25,000 in revenue. The department is fully staffed (five board members, five office staff) but has two vacant alternate board member positions.
• Discussion: Members asked about updating forms and notices (with QR codes, FAQs, and translation), the transition to Legistar for accessible case files, hearing notification radius (increased in a prior ordinance), and the timing of notifications to alders. India Gaar noted that the 30-day notification window is set by ordinance and that requests for adjournments for community meetings are accommodated one time. Alderwoman Taylor raised concerns about insufficient time for aldermen to gather input from city departments before hearings; Gaar explained the tight calendar of 12 hearings per year and that one-cycle adjournments are allowed but further holds are discouraged by the City Attorney. Data was requested on public inquiries received in response to hearing notice mailings.
• Key Positions: Alderwomen Moore and Coggs praised BOZA staff for responsiveness and transparency. Alderman Spiker sought improvements in notice clarity and translation services. Gaar expressed that the office is committed to processing cases efficiently while maintaining public engagement.

Key Outcomes

• Communication 260001 (the Mayor’s proposed 2027 budget for the Election Commission, DNS, and BOZA) was not acted upon. On the motion of Alderman Burgelis, the item was held to the call of the chair (5–0 vote: Dimitrijevic, Burgelis, Spiker, Coggs, Moore in favor; none opposed). This means the budget portions for these departments will be revisited at a later committee meeting.
• The committee made no formal recommendations or amendments; discussion will continue at subsequent budget hearings (next scheduled for Monday, October 12, 2026, covering the Police Department, Department of Emergency Communications, Fire Department, and Fire and Police Commission).
• Data requests were made to the Election Commission, DNS, and BOZA for additional reports and historical data to inform future decision-making.