Success on progressive initiatives

As the author of Milwaukee County’s Green Print, enacted in 2007, I am happy to report some major successes in improving Milwaukee County’s energy efficiency. At our last County Board meeting, we unanimously approved $6 million in energy performance contracts, which directly improve our county’s infrastructure. Many of our older, poorly maintained buildings will be retrofitted with the most energy-efficient upgrades. This saves taxpayers money, reduces the county’s energy use, and preserves our county’s assets for future generations. All of these energy savings are guaranteed, which is a great deal for Milwaukee County taxpayers. Some of the projects include significant water conservation as well. Milwaukee County’s Green Print requires that 20 percent of all county buildings must undergo technical energy audits to analyze potential energy savings.

The County Board also directed $375,000 from the Special Needs County Housing Trust Fund to help finance the construction of affordable housing for residents with mental illness in Milwaukee County. The latest project, at 2500 W. Fond du Lac Ave., will make 38 housing units available to serve the needs of clients from Milwaukee County’s Behavioral Health Division. Since the fund was first created in 2007, more than 260 units of quality affordable housing for individuals with mental illness have been constructed. This continues Milwaukee County’s long-term commitment to providing solutions for individuals with nowhere else to turn. We have established a great track record.

Lastly, at our upcoming County Board meeting in March, we will consider approving a contract for our legislative workflow program here in Milwaukee County. This will allow you more direct access to our proceedings. As chairwoman of the Committee on County Board Information Technology, I have led the effort to implement this program to reduce the use of paper, make more efficient use of staff resources, and, most importantly, provide much better public access into Milwaukee County government. I am excited about this legislation and look forward to allowing more “sunshine” here at the County Board. When the program is fully implemented, users will be able to follow legislation from its birth to adoption, see votes, review reports online, and even watch County Board meetings via webcasts online. More public participation will lead to transparency, accountability, and good, responsible government.

Marina Dimitrijevic is supervisor of Milwaukee County’s Fourth District, which includes Bay View and Milwaukee’s near south side. She can be reached at marina.dimitrijevic@milwcnty.com or (414) 278-4232.