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Parks department seeks rewrite of Milwaukee County rules for park ‘support’ groups
Summary
Milwaukee County Parks asked the committee to approve amendments to Chapter 13 of the county code to broaden rules for nonprofit support ("friends") groups, require written agreements for larger fundraisers and align reporting with Wisconsin statutes and IRS rules. The committee voted 7–0 to recommend adoption.
Milwaukee County Parks officials presented a proposed amendment to the county general ordinance Chapter 13 on July 14 that would broaden and clarify how the county treats nonprofit "support" or "friends" groups that partner with parks. "We currently have over 60 friends groups," Director of Administration Vanessa Koster told the Committee on Parks and Culture, and the rewrite would broaden the policy beyond the existing 'friends group' language.
Koster said the draft clarifies roles between the county and support groups, adds a required written agreement for groups and includes several mandated clauses. "Now the amended version aligns with the Wisconsin state statutes and the IRS requirements in terms of reporting, so it's much more streamlined," Koster said. The draft also adds a separate agreement requirement for any support group that fundraises more than $10,000.
Supervisor O'Connor asked how the department will support smaller groups with reporting and insurance concerns; Koster said Parks and contracts administration will work directly with groups and that agreements presented to the County Board will include the updated language so the transition should be "as seamless as possible." Supervisor Logsdon described the change as "a much needed update" after a years‑long effort to revise the code.
On a motion by Supervisor Martin, the committee voted to recommend the amendment for adoption by the full County Board, 7–0. The item will proceed through the board process consistent with county procedures.
