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Finance committee advances $4.8M transit lifeline, urges state and partner support
Summary
The Finance Committee recommended amendments including a nearly $4.8 million set-aside and a resolution directing transit staff to return with a plan to minimize disruptions and preserve essential routes; votes recommending the amendment were unanimous in committee.
The Milwaukee County Committee on Finance voted to recommend a two-part plan aimed at preserving 2026 transit and paratransit service levels while minimizing community disruption.
Chairwoman Marcilia Nicholson introduced a resolution directing the county’s Transportation Department and Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) to present a plan in the December 2025 meeting cycle on maximizing service and limiting disruptions. "The second part is the budget amendment that sets aside nearly $5,000,000 for transit and paratransit services," Nicholson said, adding those funds could only be expended with express County Board approval.
Committee members described the package as a temporary lifeline. Joe Lamers, director of the Office of Strategy, Budget and Performance, warned the committee that one-time funding increases future gaps and recommended against reducing courthouse project funding to cover ongoing operating needs: "I would recommend against any amendment that removes funding from the courthouse project," Lamers said.
Why it matters: MCTS faces a multi-year operating gap; staff projected roughly $14 million shortfall for the current year and similar shortfalls ahead. The adopted committee recommendation preserves routes for 2026, directs staff to analyze partnerships (including school-district collaborations and employer-based tripper services), and makes transit a top lobbying priority.
Votes and next steps: The committee recommended adoption of the transit resolution and Amendment 19 on roll call (6–0). The set-aside cannot be spent without County Board approval; staff were directed to report back with detailed options and timelines.
Quotes: "Every day, our buses connect residents to jobs, to education, to health care, and to opportunity," Nicholson said. Joe Lamers cautioned that short-term fixes create sustainability risks if not paired with state or federal funding.
Provenance: Committee introduction and votes on Item 2 and Amendment 19 were recorded in the Finance Committee amendment session and will appear in the board day packet for final action by the full County Board.
