Wisconsin.

Anticipating a $45 million shortfall in fiscal 1993, Milwaukee County Executive F. Thomas Ament has called on county department heads to submit budgets with no increases in spending.

Mr. Ament requested that each department submit three budgets showing cuts of 5%, 10%, and 15% respectively, according to Earl Hawkins, the county's fiscal and budget administrator.

The cuts are necessary to offset a $45 million increase in expected costs for the county's new jail and other state-mandated programs in fiscal 1993, which begins Jan. 1, Mr. Hawkins said.

Mr. Ament also asked departments to hold the line on spending to help him keep a campaign promise to hold any property tax increase to 80% of the rate of inflation for the first two years of his administration, Mr. Hawkins said.

The 1992 county budget of just under $1 billion included a $141 million tax levy, which was the same as the 1991 levy.

County departments are expected to submit their budgets by July 15. The county budget is expected to be finalized in November, Mr. Hawkins said.

Standard & Poor's Corp. rates $400 million of Milwaukee County's general obligation debt AA-minus with a negative outlook. Moody's Investors Service rates $435 million of the county's GO debt A1.

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.
MORE FROM AMERICAN BANKER