HACM board creates standing finance committee to advise on budgets, audits and procurement

The Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee voted Feb. 18 to create a standing finance committee to advise the full board on financial oversight, risk management, budgeting and procurement.

Greg Crews of the city attorney’s office told commissioners the committee will be advisory only, must follow open‑meetings law and will report recommendations back to the full board. The committee will include three board members and two public members with financial expertise; a quorum will require three members. Crews said the resolution is written to define the committee’s bounded authority and preserve final decision‑making at the full‑board level.

Vice Chair Gatzler and other commissioners stressed the committee’s role in improving transparency and long‑term fiscal sustainability. Commissioner (speaker 4) moved to adopt the resolution and the chair called for a roll‑call vote. Commissioners Moore, Snyder, Burrell, Hazlett, Gatzler, Nelson and Pez Classe each voted “Aye,” and the motion passed.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the finance committee will provide a recurring forum to review audit findings, major contracts and accounting practices as the authority works to stabilize operations and implement the agency’s recovery and sustainability plans. The committee will allow staff and outside experts to vet financial questions before the board takes final action.

Next steps: Chair Hazlett will appoint committee members, including the committee chair and vice chair, and the chosen committee will meet at least quarterly and provide recommendations to this board.