Finance committee backs $857.9 million funding request for Milwaukee County courthouse complex after amendment

County supervisors on the finance committee recommended approval of capital authorization for the Investing in Justice Courthouse Complex (IJCC), voting 5–2 to send the item forward after adopting a scope‑cutting amendment. The administration asked the committee to unlock $857,948,000 to advance the replacement of the century‑old Public Safety Building and related courthouse work.

Aaron Hertzberg, executive director of the Department of Administrative Services, told supervisors the total project budget is about $896 million and that roughly $38.63 million has already been funded for planning and preliminary work. Hertzberg said the $857.948 million request would allow the county to enter construction contracts and proceed with the project, which the team expects to have operational around late 2032 or early 2033. "We are before you asking for $857,948,000 to continue to advance the project," he said.

Supervisors pressed the administration on cost, tax impacts and schedule. Jeremy Lucas, deputy chief of staff for County Executive David Crowley, described a phased bonding approach with an early guaranteed maximum price package of about $125 million for preconstruction, a subsequent package for demolition and foundations, and a later large package of roughly $508 million for the bulk of construction. Nick Sandram, director of strategy, budget and performance, said state levy limits make it unlikely that bonding will directly harm operating budgets but acknowledged borrowing will affect property taxpayers.

Before the final committee recommendation, Supervisor Rollin introduced and the committee adopted an amendment removing a proposed east glass entry, which the sponsor said would save roughly $45.7 million and refocus spending on core courthouse functions. After the amendment passed 6–1 in committee, the body recommended the amended funding authorization to the full board by a 5–2 vote. The file will proceed through the board’s remaining steps for final approval.

What’s next: the item advances to the full County Board for final consideration and potential bonding decisions; supervisors and the administration said they expect additional committee updates through design and construction phases.