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County capital planners warn of large gap for 2026 budget; IJCC cited as major driver
Summary
County capital staff briefed the Finance Committee on the 2026 capital budget timeline, design-first approach and an estimated multi-year funding shortfall driven largely by the Investing in Justice/Courthouse project (IJCC).
Milwaukee County capital planners told the Finance Committee the county is likely to face a major funding gap for capital projects in 2026 and over the next five years unless external financing or reprioritization occurs.
Vince Masterson, capital budget coordinator in the Office of Strategy, Budget, and Performance, explained the "design-first" approach that phases design funding in the first year and schedules construction appropriations later so final scope and cost estimates are developed before construction budgeting. Masterson said the county uses an internal policy capping annual bonding increases at 3% over the prior year's adopted bond amount; with a 2025 base of $55,200,000, the 2026 bonding cap is $56,800,000.
Masterson presented preliminary estimates that 2026…
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