Supervisors question withdrawals from Ballpark Commons methane fund; county says oversight committee and fund remain intact

Milwaukee County supervisors raised concerns Jan. 27 about two withdrawals from the contribution account established under the contribution and participation agreement between Milwaukee County and Ballpark Commons LLC, including a $79,043.40 deduction in 2023 and a $14,325 withdrawal in 2022.

The matter came before the Committee on Audit as an informational report. Supervisor Logsdon, speaking on behalf of constituents in her district, asked whether quarterly payments for 2024 had been received, why two withdrawals occurred and whether the oversight committee’s composition gave Ballpark Commons disproportionate control over spending.

Justin Rodriguez of the Office of the Comptroller, who serves as Milwaukee County’s representative on the LIC (Legislative Information Center) fund oversight committee, said the written report covered receipts through Sept. 30, 2024, and that quarterly payments for 2024 had been made as of that date. Rodriguez said the oversight committee maintains the fund, that the site consultant Foth Engineering submits improvement requests, and that proposed improvements are reviewed by the county Department of Administrative Services’ environmental engineer and by Rodriguez as the county representative.

On the specific withdrawals, Rodriguez confirmed a $79,043.40 withdrawal in 2023 and a $14,325 withdrawal in 2022 and said the county deemed those expenditures to be “appropriate use for the funds within the LIC fund.” He added the county does not currently see a projected shortfall on the county’s 20‑year outlook for replacement costs.

Supervisor Logsdon told the committee she had been asked by residents to press the county on oversight because, she said, two votes on the oversight committee are held by Ballpark Commons or related parties and one by the county. She said residents contend one withdrawal — the $79,043.40 payment — reimbursed work done after soil had been moved and methane vents were covered, and that the residents believe that work was caused by Ballpark Commons construction activity and therefore should not have been charged to the fund.

Rodriguez said the oversight committee’s membership and voting structure are determined by the contribution and participation agreement and that changing the committee’s composition would require both parties to agree to reopen the agreement.

Vice Chair Martin and other supervisors urged continued transparency. Martin said the committee should consider whether future oversight changes are needed and suggested the possibility of adding a community member or additional county representation to the oversight committee. Supervisor Roland asked that the committee continue to receive the annual informational report; Rodriguez confirmed the report is submitted annually and within 90 days of the annual oversight committee meeting.

The Committee on Audit took no action on the item because it was submitted as information only. The report is to continue as an annual informational update to the county board.