Milwaukee County's Fiscal Condition:
Crisis on the Horizon?
An independent third-party analysis
March 2009

In May 2006, following the launch of a "reality tour" by the Milwaukee County executive to warn citizens about his government's deteriorating financial situation, and a month-long investigation into Milwaukee County's finances by two of its reporters, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel editorial board declared that "without bold steps and aggressive political leadership on all levels...the county is sure to face a fiscal crisis more severe than most people might now imagine."
Almost three years later, it is clear that bold steps have not been taken. Yet, the fiscal crisis predicted by editorial writers and top county and civic leaders has not materialized. This report examines how the crisis has been avoided so far, and at what price.
Utilizing a commonly used and respected fiscal monitoring system, and conducting perhaps the most rigorous examination of Milwaukee County fiscal data ever undertaken, we assess the county's current fiscal condition.