The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office presented its 2026 recommended budget, described operational achievements and asked the Finance Committee to consider supplemental staffing and commodity restorations after technical budget changes and state-directed revenue allocations altered how funds appear in the office's budget.

Why it matters: the Sheriff's Office operates the county jail, court security, patrols county roads and runs specialized teams; changes to how revenue and interdepartmental charges are presented affect the office's ability to maintain staffing, equipment and contracted services.

Sheriff Ball and fiscal administrator Pat Caravetta described successes including reduced jail staff turnover, a new deputy lateral program, pilot programs for hourly bailiffs and improved community engagement. The presentation emphasized continuing staffing challenges in the jail and patrol units, including mandatory overtime and relief-factor shortfalls; supervisors asked clarifying questions about relief factors and the status of a staffing study.

Budget adjustments and state revenue: Caravetta explained the recommended budget reflects a $19 million increase in revenue tied to state expressway aid, but much of that revenue was routed to capital or other county projects (notably the public safety building) and methodology changes moved central services cross-charges into sheriff orgs. The office reported a reduction in its ability to buy commodities because increases in two large contracts (Allied Universal secured transport and Axon body camera/case-management) consumed a larger share of commodities and services; the sheriff requested restoring $746,925 to cover those contract increases.

Staffing requests: the sheriff asked the committee to consider adding 30 of 50 requested correctional-officer FTEs, four correctional sergeants, one correctional captain in a security-director role, and 10 deputy sheriff positions to begin creating a relief factor. The sheriff said some capital projects tied to the jail audit remain on the list: 408 camera replacements in the jail, segregation observation cell retrofits, mental health door and glass replacements and safe-room retrofits.

Capital projects: the sheriff asked that capital projects WR2161 (criminal justice facility camera replacements) and related retrofits be funded; the sheriff said camera replacement improves security and evidence quality.

Ending: the committee received the presentation and asked the sheriff and budget office to provide more details on cross-charge methodology and timing of the staffing study; no formal vote was taken during the presentation.