Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee County facing $19M deficit, even after raising sales tax

Published

1 year ago

August 1, 2024

Milwaukee County facing M deficit, even after raising sales tax

Milwaukee County facing $19M deficit

The Milwaukee County Office of Strategy, Budget and Performance is looking at ways to offset the deficit, which could include using extra money from other departments.

MILWAUKEE COUNTY, Wis. – The sales tax grew, but the returns have not.

Now Milwaukee County is expecting its budget deficit to grow as high as $19 million. The tax increase started Jan. 1.

It leaves county leaders looking for solutions on how to properly spend your money.

On a Wednesday afternoon at Burghardt Sporting Goods in Fox Point, for fifth-generation owner Brian Burghardt, the post-pandemic spending spike is swinging back toward reality.

“There was a ton of pent-up demand,” Burghardt said. “I think that we’re flattening out a little bit right now. Business is still strong, but we’re not enjoying the same trend as we have in the previous couple years.”

SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News

Slower retail sales spells smaller sales tax collections, which is part of the reason the Milwaukee County Comptroller’s Office said it’s now looking at a $19 million deficit, even after raising the sales tax from 0.5% to 0.9%.

“Our sales tax budget assumed a 3%, I believe, increase over last year’s number,” said Cynthia “CJ” Pahl, Financial Services Manager for the Milwaukee County Comptroller’s Office. “And when we’re not hitting that, and we’re not even hitting last year’s budget, that’s when we’re in trouble.”

Pahl said overtime for the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office, a food contract at the Community Reintegration Center and a $2.5 million payment as part of the American Family Field funding fix are to blame as well.

“It’s not good,” said Milwaukee County Supervisor Steve Taylor. “It’s not good at all.”

They are hoping a little more business could help everyone.

The Milwaukee County Office of Strategy, Budget and Performance is looking at ways to offset the deficit, which could include using extra money from other departments.

The office will present a plan to address the deficit in September.

What is taxable?

According to the state, sales tax is imposed on retailers who make taxable retail sales, licenses, leases, or rentals of the following products in Wisconsin (unless an exemption applies):

Tangible personal property
Coins and stamps of the United States that are sold, licensed, leased, rented or traded as collector’s items, above their face value.
Leased tangible personal property affixed to real property, if the lessor has the right to remove the leased property upon breach or termination of the lease agreement. Exception: A lessor’s charge for the lease of tangible personal property affixed to real property is not taxable if the lessor of the leased property is also the lessor of the real property to which the leased property is affixed.
Certain digital goods

In addition, certain services which are sold, licensed, performed, or furnished at retail in Wisconsin are subject to Wisconsin sales or use tax, unless the service provider or the buyer is exempt from tax on that transaction.

FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX6 News app for iOS or Android.

Tangible personal property is personal property that can be seen, weighed, measured, felt, or touched, or that is in any other manner perceptible to the senses. Examples include:

Clothing
Computers
Office equipment
Electricity
Gas
Steam
Water
Prewritten computer software, regardless of how it is delivered (i.e., physical media or download)

Only certain services sold, performed, or furnished in Wisconsin are subject to Wisconsin sales or use tax. Taxable services include:

Admission and access privileges to amusement, athletic, entertainment, or recreational places or events.
Access or use of amusement devices
Boat docking and storage
Cable television services
Contracts for future performance of services
Internet access (not taxable beginning July 1, 2020)
Landscaping and lawn maintenance services
Laundry and dry cleaning services
Parking services for motor vehicles and aircraft
Photographic services
Producing, fabricating and printing
Repair and service of tangible personal property, items, property, or goods (Part 10.B.9 in Publication 201)
Rooms or lodging for less than one month
Telecommunications message services
Telecommunications services, including prepaid calling services, and ancillary services
Towing and hauling of motor vehicles by a tow truck

When a retailer sells taxable products or services which are subject to tax, and the retailer charges the purchaser for delivery, the retailer’s total charge, including the delivery charge, is taxable. This is the case whether the seller’s vehicle, a common or contract carrier, or the United States Postal Service makes delivery.

Exceptions:

The sales price of direct mail does not include separately stated delivery charges.
Transportation or delivery charges paid by the Wisconsin purchaser to a carrier which is independent of the seller.

Source link

Click to comment

Milwaukee, WI

Leaders from Milwaukee Rep, local Jewish organization team up to support families in need

Published

4 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Press Room

Leaders from Milwaukee Rep, local Jewish organization team up to support families in need

MILWAUKEE — For 31 years, the Milwaukee Repertory Theater has ended every performance of A Christmas Carol with a heartwarming tradition: cast members ask audience members for donations that are then given to a local charity.

Watch: Milwaukee Rep’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ raises donations for Jewish Family Services

Milwaukee Rep’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ raises donations for Jewish Family Services

This year’s chosen charity is Jewish Family Services, an organization that provides support to families in need throughout the community.

I was there when Jenny from the Rep and Jenny from Jewish Family Services celebrated the generosity of the community, which is providing gifts for families in need this holiday season.

Kidd O’Shea

Behind the scenes at Milwaukee Rep, volunteers were busy wrapping presents for their “A Christmas Carol Families” program. The initiative aligns perfectly with the theater’s mission of creating positive change in the community.

“This goes right to our mission of creating positive change in the community, and when we’re doing a play like A Christmas Carol, what better show to be able to use the themes from that production of generosity and compassion over greed to make sure that we’re walking the walk as well when we are saying, ‘Hey community, we should be doing this,’ right? So this is one example of how we can create that change in the community as well,” said Jenny from Milwaukee Rep.

The donations collected from theatergoers will make a significant impact for families served by Jewish Family Services, which has been operating since 1867.

“It’s going to make such a huge difference. These are families facing the harshest of circumstances. We’ve been in existence since 1867, but this year we have such extreme need from all the families we serve,” said Jenny from Jewish Family Services.

Even small contributions from audience members attending the beloved Milwaukee holiday tradition add up to meaningful support for local families.

“To everyone who went to see A Christmas Carol, which is such a holiday tradition here in Milwaukee, and made a donation — maybe it was just $1 or a couple bucks here and there — it all adds up and really is community showing up for community,” I said.

“We’re so grateful to have been chosen this year, and to align our missions like this with the Rep is just a community outpouring of support that is going to go directly to benefit some people who will be very grateful,” said Jenny from Jewish Family Services.

The longstanding tradition demonstrates how the theater continues to give back to Milwaukee, extending the spirit of the holiday classic beyond the stage and into the community.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

Let’s talk:

Hey there! At TMJ4 News, we’re all about listening to our audience and tackling the stuff that really matters to you. Got a story idea, tip, or just want to chat about this piece? Hit us up using the form below. For more ways to get in touch, head over to tmj4.com/tips.

It’s about time to watch on your time. Stream local news and weather 24/7 by searching for “TMJ4” on your device.

Available for download on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and more.

Report a typo or error // Submit a news tip

Source link

Milwaukee, WI

Community raises over $29,000 during Home 4 the Holidays virtual food drive

Published

16 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Press Room

Community raises over ,000 during Home 4 the Holidays virtual food drive

Thanks to generous viewers, TMJ4’s Home 4 the Holidays Virtual Food Drive raised more than $29,000 for Milwaukee’s Hunger Task Force — money that will help get food on tables this holiday season.

The donations came as the Hunger Task Force reports a 35% increase in traffic at local pantry networks over the past year.

The fundraising effort marks the 10th year that Raymond James, TMJ4, and Milwaukee’s Hunger Task Force have partnered for the Home 4 the Holidays virtual food drive. The online platform allows people to purchase an assortment of holiday food choices from the comfort of their own home or office.

Gary Sievewright from Raymond James explained why the company continues its annual participation.

Watch: Community raises over $29,000 during Home 4 the Holidays virtual food drive

Community raises over $29,000 during Home 4 the Holidays virtual food drive

“It’s part of our culture to be involved in the community, and we just love the need to help people that really have a need for food, right? So this is a passion of ours, it’s a passion of yours. We love the partnership, and we’re happy to raise as much money as we can every year,” Sievewright said.

People can continue making donations by visiting HungerTaskForce.org to help feed families in need this holiday season.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

Let’s talk:

It’s about time to watch on your time. Stream local news and weather 24/7 by searching for “TMJ4” on your device.

Available for download on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and more.

Report a typo or error // Submit a news tip

Source link

Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee New Year’s Eve Free Rides; MCTS, Molson Coors team up

Published

1 day ago

December 17, 2025

Press Room

Milwaukee New Year’s Eve Free Rides

In partnership with Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS), the Miller Lite Free Rides program returns to Milwaukee as people ring in the new year.

MILWAUKEE – In partnership with Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS), the Miller Lite Free Rides program returns to Milwaukee as people ring in the new year.

The program got its start in 1988 and provides residents with free transportation to celebrate the new year responsibly.

This year’s program is especially meaningful as Miller Lite celebrates its 50th anniversary and the Free Rides program approaches 10 million rides provided nationwide.

FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android

Visit the MCTS website to find the most popular routes. You can also download the UMO app to plan and track your bus in real-time.

The Source: The information in this post was provided by Molson Coors Beverage Company.

MilwaukeeNewsMilwaukee County Transit System

Source link