Budget includes major capital commitments — investing in Justice courthouse, forensic science facility, Mitchell Park Domes restoration

Milwaukee County’s recommended 2026 capital budget, previewed at the Finance Committee, includes several sizable projects the county has been planning for years and a set of new or continuing commitments to facilities.

County comptroller staff described the capital program as 66 projects with net county financing of about $99 million. Notable items cited in the presentation include a $15.8 million County property-tax levy commitment toward the Investing in Justice courthouse complex (part of a larger $24.5 million of levy in the overall capital budget), a continuing program of work to move employees out of the century-old safety building in advance of potential demolition in 2027, funds for the new forensic science and protective medicine facility (which is planned to house the medical examiner and emergency management), a $5 million county commitment toward a $30 million restoration of the Mitchell Park Domes, and $13.6 million for a new zoo front entrance.

Airport projects were noted but said to be funded with airport revenue bonds and reserves and therefore would not affect county general-obligation debt service or the property tax levy. Staff emphasized that the Investing in Justice figures presented are estimates that will be refined as planning and design proceed and said departments would begin moving employees in advance of 2027 work on the safety building.

Why it matters: Capital borrowing and the timing of projects were identified as a primary driver of the county’s increased debt-service needs and the allowable levy increase in 2026; changes to project schedules or bond-sale results can shift the levy and may trigger technical amendments to debt-service budgeting.

Ending: County staff said the capital improvements committee’s recommendations are largely intact and that the comptroller’s appendix identifies changes. Staff said they would keep supervisors updated as planning and costing are refined during the coming year.