Milwaukee County officials disclosed a $4.56 million shortfall in the county’s 2027 budget after a computing error was found in an automated formula that had replaced a manual calculation process. The discovery was announced in a memo to the County Board ahead of the budget‑approval meeting scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 5.

How the error occurred

The memo explains that the discrepancy stemmed from a formula used by the Office of Strategy, Budget and Performance. When the county transitioned from a manual to an automated budgeting method, a coding mistake caused the formula to miscalculate one line‑item, creating the multi‑million‑dollar hole.

County response

A spokesperson for County Executive David Crowley said, “County Executive Crowley is aware of an error discovered in an automated formula used to calculate one aspect of the budget, a process previously done manually. Once identified, the Office of Strategy, Budget and Performance acted immediately to create a solution and correct the formula to prevent a recurrence. The County Executive is confident the issue is resolved and that Milwaukee County will end 2027 with a balanced budget.”

When asked why the issue was being released after the recent gubernatorial election, FOX 6 was told the timing was dictated by the upcoming budget meeting, not by political considerations. Officials emphasized that the error was only identified after a thorough review and that corrective steps were already underway.

Plans to offset the shortfall

The memo outlines several avenues the county will pursue to cover the $4.56 million gap:

• Potential additional prescription‑drug rebates that could return funds to the county treasury.
• Utilizing cash balances remaining in capital‑project accounts scheduled to close in 2027.
• Identifying savings or surplus through ongoing monitoring of departmental operating budgets.

Both the Office of Strategy, Budget and Performance and the Office of the Comptroller have reviewed these options and are working with department heads to implement any viable measures.

Implications for taxpayers

County officials assure residents that the correction will not affect services or increase taxes. The focus remains on maintaining a balanced budget while preserving essential county functions such as public safety, health services, and infrastructure projects.

Milwaukee County has a history of fiscal responsibility, and the current administration is committed to transparency and swift action when discrepancies arise. The budget‑error memo is part of that commitment, providing the public with a clear picture of the issue and the steps being taken to resolve it.

Next steps

The County Board will consider the memo’s recommendations during the budget vote on Thursday. If approved, the outlined offsets will be incorporated into the final budget, ensuring the county meets its financial goals for the 2027 fiscal year.

For further details, the public can request a copy of the memo from the Milwaukee County Office of the County Executive or attend the upcoming board meeting, which will be streamed online for residents unable to attend in person.

Original reporting: FOX6 WITI – local news — read the source article.