County reports $8.9 million budget surplus (Business Journal of Milwaukee)

Send to friend

County reports $8.9 million budget surplus
Business Journal of Milwaukee
Monday, April 12, 2010

Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker said the county's moves to save money, including departmental budget reductions, staff furloughs and a wage freeze, have resulted in a preliminary budget surplus of $8.9 million.

The unaudited estimate was prepared by the county fiscal and budget administrator and the county controller and is set at a surplus of $8,880,925 for the fiscal year that ended Dec. 31, 2009. The figures were provided as part of the quarterly report released Monday.

Among the actions taken that allowed for the surplus were 3 percent reductions across all departments, implementation of two furlough days, enacted with support from the County Board, and a hiring and wage freeze, the county said in a press release.

The county also saved money by switching to a new health care provider, according to the release.

The 2009 surplus will be counted as revenue for the 2011 budget, which was projected by the Department of Administrative Services to see a $47 million shortfall, assuming a $4.1 million year-end surplus. The $8.9 million surplus increases the amount available for the 2011 county budget by $4.8 million.

Walker said in his 2010 State of the County Address that he will present a 2011 budget that will cut the property tax levy so that more residents and employers can afford to stay in the county.

http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2010/04/12/daily3.html