After hours of debate and public testimony, the Finance & Personnel Committee on Oct. 31 approved a council-drafted omnibus substitute to the mayor's proposed 2026 budget. The substitute, known in the packet as 1e, restores Sunday hours at several Milwaukee Public Library branches, adds $800,000 toward down-payment assistance and increases funding for Eviction Free MKE; it also includes a wage supplement for general city employees. Committee members cited input from residents, labor leaders and community organizations in supporting the changes.

The substitute was the subject of extended debate and votes on multiple amendments. A bid this morning to strip the levy increases from the omnibus (amendment 1g) failed on a roll call; the committee later approved the full substitute. Supporters said the changes respond to needs raised in public hearings and by neighborhood groups; opponents warned the package increases the tax levy and could constrain future budgets.

The committee also discussed several staffing and structural changes included in 1e: a new council policy position, a proposed shift of certain innovation and equity functions between departments, and modest new capital borrowing for specific projects. Department directors and the comptroller testified about the fiscal impact of adjustments to insurance and benefits estimates and about potential timing effects on future levy limits.

Votes at the meeting included: the substitute 1e was approved by the committee (roll call recorded 4-1). An earlier motion (1g) to remove the additional levy was defeated (1-4). Several component amendments to 1e were considered during debate (see timeline and votes). The amended budget package will be referred to the council for adoption on Nov. 7.

What it means: The committee-level changes increase funding for neighborhood-focused programs (housing and eviction prevention), restore at least limited library service hours that the mayor had proposed to cut, and raise employee compensation above the administration's baseline recommendation. Councilmembers framed the package as a targeted attempt to preserve services requested by residents; administrators warned the additional spending increases the 2026 levy and reduces future flexibility.

A note on process: The mayor's proposed budget and the council's amendments now go to the full Common Council Nov. 7 for adoption. The committee recorded its formal referral to the Nov. 7 meeting; the comptroller and department directors will supply follow-up memos the committee requested on specific funding and carryover questions.