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Comptroller: $138.2M outstanding receivables; $11–12M backlog tied to conduit invoices and telecom disputes

Milwaukee Common Council, Judiciary & Legislation Committee · January 12, 2026

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Summary

The comptroller reported $138.2 million in outstanding accounts receivable at year-end 2024, noting a large miscellaneous balance driven by unpaid conduit invoices and billing disputes with telecommunication companies (Spectrum/Charter highlighted); the committee pressed city departments for follow-up and asked for updated 2025 figures.

Gloria Lucas of the Comptroller's Office presented the annual outstanding receivables report to the Judiciary & Legislation Committee on Jan. 12, reporting $138.2 million in accounts receivable at year end 2024, an increase of $5.7 million from 2023.

Lucas said a $17.5 million miscellaneous receivable balance included about $12.6 million tied to public-works-related items and that roughly $11.2 million of that remained outstanding. Dylan Westfall, business operations manager for DPW Administrative Services, told the committee the conduit-related receivables reflect a backlog of invoices and disputes with telecommunications companies over conduit/fiber locations and charges; Spectrum (Charter) was named as a frequent short-payer. Westfall said the city tightened chapter 98 ordinance provisions in the budget cycle to increase fees and require telecoms to provide maps and location reports, and he said the city will seek advice from the city attorney's office to pursue collections.

Committee members pressed for specifics on the $12 million figure, questioned why the city had not been more aggressive earlier and asked for 2025 numbers. Jesse Hagen, a senior financial analyst in the comptroller's office, said staff have begun sending department heads notification of outstanding balances, reconciling records with the collections firm Cone (Kone/Cone referenced in transcript) and will return with updated 2025 figures. The committee requested follow-up on whether permits will be denied once the new ordinance authority takes effect and asked DPW to report back on enforcement actions and revenue projections for conduit fees.

The discussion highlighted potential revenue recovery and the city's limited leverage when carriers threaten to bypass city-owned conduit. Staff said some carriers have filed bankruptcy, creating additional write-offs. The committee asked for a detailed follow-up with 2025 receivables numbers and an explanation of how collected receivables would be recognized and budgeted.