Milwaukee County administrative services director outlines capital needs, climate plan and workforce strategies

Aaron Hertzberg, Milwaukee County's director of the Department of Administrative Services, described the department's role in operating and supporting county government and outlined major capital needs, workforce and climate initiatives during a presentation to the Milwaukee County Youth Commission on May 21.

Hertzberg said DAS provides facilities management, information management (IT), real estate and economic development, risk management and procurement for the county and that those services allow direct-service departments to focus on programs such as parks, health and human services, emergency management and public safety. He cited a county operating budget of about $1.4 billion and said the county invests hundreds of millions more in multi-year capital projects.

Why it matters: Hertzberg framed DAS as an internal service provider whose decisions on buildings, IT and contracting affect service delivery countywide. He and commissioners discussed near-term…