County Board adds $8.5 million to budget

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The 2007 Milwaukee County budget took some of its final steps toward the finish line on Nov. 6 as the County Board approved the vast majority of amendments passed by the Finance and Audit Committee.

The move addressed some of the concerns that had been raised about funding for the courts and court security.

Chief among them was a 17-2 vote restoring 11 bailiff positions. Also restored were 31 sheriff’s department positions, including 29 deputies, one sergeant and one deputy sheriff captain and budget re-ductions to the district attorney’s office.

The total approved amendments put the 2007 tax levy at $241 million, compared to the 2006 levy of $232.6 million, a 3.64 percent rise.

Of the nearly $8.5 million that the County Board added to Walker’s 2007 budget, more than half is designated for court-related operations and public safety.

“Those departments occupy a huge chunk of the tax levy increase,” said Harold Mester, public information manager for the County Board. “Almost $5 million is going to court operations, bailiffs and the district attorney’s office.”

The overwhelming board approval came on the heels of Milwaukee County Circuit Court Chief Judge Kitty K. Brennan’s open plea at the 3rd Annual State of the Courts luncheon in late October.

Brennan encouraged attendees to contact board members and convey the vital need for funds and personnel restoration to court related operations.

“On behalf of the Milwaukee courts I’m very grateful to the County Board for the funding and bailiff positions that they restored,” said Brennan. “They have listened and been responsive to most of our concerns. I realize they had difficult financial decisions to make.”

Bailiffs Backed

Supported by audit recommendations released this summer, bailiff positions were elevated from Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker’s proposed 70, to 81.

“I think the board felt the bailiff restoration was an important issue because it concerned not only the safety of judges, attorneys and staff, but of jurors,” said Mester. “The vast majority of the public’s contact with the courts is as a juror and not necessarily as an attorney or someone on trial.”

The bailiff additions account for the largest portion of court and public safety tax levy increase, with a $2,168,166 allotment.

Despite the increase, Brennan pledged to work toward the audit-recommended bailiff level of 114.

“I remain concerned about the public’s safety in the courthouse complex and Children’s Court Center,” said Brennan. “The county’s audit has pointed out significant public safety concerns due to low bailiff staffing levels. The board’s action restores the positions cut by the county executive, but still leaves us lower than the staffing level considered safe by the national expert. I will work with the County Board this year to increase the number of bailiffs.”

Vote Aids Sheriff, District Attorney

Prior to taking office, newly elected Milwaukee District Attorney John T. Chisholm could see nearly $2 million in proposed cuts restored by the County Board.

Walker had sought to eliminate weekend intake services, but board members approved $1,725,000 for district attorney’s office operations.

“The county will be able to continue to prosecute cases seven days a week,” said Mester.

Funding was also restored to handle increased workload, as the number of small claims courts cases has increased by 30 percent during the last three years.

The board also approved more than $1 million for the staffing of 31 sheriff’s department positions, including 29 deputies. The restorations will aid the department’s General Investigative Services, Drug Unit and High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area operations according to Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke.

“I refuse to engage in the Chicken Little tactic of screaming that the sky is falling,” said Clarke, commenting on the County Executive’s proposed cuts. “It’s not, nor will it, but these recommendations for lump sum reductions for the fourth consecutive year are at a point where they will have ramifications on the service that we provide and on my ability to carry out my mandated duty to protect.”

While the Board adopted the amended version of the budget, including the 2007 tax levy by a 14-5 vote, Walker will have the opportunity to veto provisions. The County Board will then review any vetoes in relation to the budget on Nov. 15 at 1:30 p.m. in Room 200 of the Milwaukee County Courthouse.

“Currently, the County Executive has not had a chance to begin reviewing any of the revisions and he will deliberate on the County Board’s recommendations,” Communications Director Rod McWilliams said, when reached last week. “He’ll look at the numbers and see if anything needs to be moved around.”