Damaging cuts expected from county exec.

Later this month, the county executive will propose his 2010 budget. If the past seven years are any indication, we will face a cold and unkind budget with many potential cuts to crucial county services. The County Board will have to make some difficult decisions about how to restore funding for the functions most important to you. As your representative on the County Board of Supervisors, I have heard your concerns. I am willing to fight for the quality of life that you expect and deserve in Milwaukee County.

Milwaukee County’s Farm and Fish Hatchery, which supplies 40,000 fish to county park ponds and lagoons including Humboldt, Holler, Wilson, and Saveland, seems to be one of the favorite targets of the county executive’s budget ax. This facility saves taxpayer dollars, provides great activities for Milwaukee County residents, makes food available for the hungry, and improves the environment. I will vote to restore funding for this facility should it be cut. 

Some other possible targets in the county executive’s budget include cuts to mental health care, homeless shelters, parks, and our transit system. In particular, it’s likely that all freeway flyer service is on the chopping block. Also under consideration is a $.25 transfer fee for bus rides. This is unacceptable, and I will vote against these items during the County Board’s budget process to ensure that jobs remain accessible via mass transit and that parks see no further neglect.

Ideally, it would be especially helpful if the county executive would develop more creative ways to prioritize and fund important county functions. If not, his proposed cuts will once again lead to some difficult decisions due to the scarce resources available in Milwaukee County. I intend to do my best to ensure that we continue to carry out crucial services at the best value for taxpayers.

Thank you for all of your feedback thus far. Keep it coming! If you have a concern about the 2010 budget, please contact me.

Chris Larson is supervisor of Milwaukee County’s 14th District, which encompasses southern parts of Bay View, the airport, and other parts of Milwaukee’s southeast side. He can be reached at chris.larson@milwcnty.com or (414) 278-4252.

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