6 key takeaways from County Executive David Crowley's State of the County address

In his first in-person State of the County address, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley painted a picture of progress and hope for the future of the county's communities Tuesday.

This past year, the county's efforts have focused on investments in behavioral and mental health, public safety, affordable housing, juvenile justice and transportation.

Crowley noted that the looming challenge in continuing such services is funding as shared revenue from the state has remained stagnant.

"Currently, the cost of services are outpacing our current revenues — and we are limited by state law in how much revenue we can raise locally," Crowley said. "By 2027, we are projected to have no local dollars to fund local services."

But he believes a 1% sales tax for the county is the key in pushing the needle for years to come.

"We are ready to be a strong partner with our leaders in Madison to ensure the safety of residents living in all 19 municipalities within Milwaukee County," he said.

For Crowley, the year's successes have been a culmination of his and other's commitment to the county's overall vision of achieving racial and health equity.

"When we meet the needs of everyone, we can create a safe, healthy county where everyone has what they need to thrive," Crowley said. "They say if you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together. I want Milwaukee County to go far, very far, on its journey to achieve race and health equity."

Here are some takeaways from this Crowley's speech.

Progress made with the county's new Mental Health Emergency Center, opioid lawsuit settlement funds

The creation of the new Mental Health Emergency Center introduced a newer concerted effort by the county to deliver mental health services to residents. Situated at 1525 N. 12th St. in the city's King Park neighborhood west of Interstate 43, the center's opening ushered the closure of the Behavioral Health Division's long-troubled and outdated Milwaukee County Mental Health Complex and Psychiatric Crisis Services hospital based near Wauwatosa.

January of this year also saw a collaboration between the county executive and the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors in which they allocated more than $11 million of settlement funds for projects aimed at treatment and abatement among strategies to tackle the on-going opioid pandemic in Milwaukee County.

"Those settlement funds have the potential to be a game changer in the fight to end the opioid epidemic and save lives," Crowley said.

Money from the settlement allocation will be used to purchase and install harm reduction vending machines countywide, Crowley announced Tuesday. The first vending machine will be installed at the Marcia P. Coggs Health & Human Services building next month. The machines will contain Fentanyl test strips, nasal Narcan, medication deactivation pouches, lock bags and gun locks.

The county also invested $21 million in Community Access to Recovery Services (CARS) in order to expand the program.

Credible Messengers program shows results in improving juvenile justice

Crowley applauded the continued efforts and expansion of the Credible Messengers program. Launched in 2021, the program pairs youth involved in the juvenile justice system or or who are at risk of becoming part of the system with mentors in an effort to curb violence.

The county executive shared recent data about the success of the program, showing that more than 75% of youth who entered the program did not reoffend.

"Preventing crime and violence by moving resources upstream is important, but it is just as important to give the right people the resources they need to bring offenders to justice and support safe streets," Crowley said.

In 2022, the county revived the Milwaukee Youth Commission, serving as a representative body for youth in county government. Youth commissioners work in partnership with Crowley and Milwaukee County Board Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson to create advisory recommendations about budgetary and policy decisions.

Looking ahead, the Department of Health and Human Services will formally announce later in 2023 the launch of Community Prevention Programs & Family Supports to provide "urgent and intentional prevention, diversion, intervention, personal development, and mental wellness support to young people in our community," according to Crowley.

New Forensic Science and Protective Medicine Center marks major financial project

One major financial project for the county has been the construction of the Center for Forensic Science and Protective Medicine that will house the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office, the Milwaukee County Office of Emergency Management and the Wisconsin Department of Justice's Milwaukee Crime Lab.

The future center will be a part of the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center campus in 2025 — which includes Medical College of Wisconsin, Froedtert Hospital and Children's Wisconsin.

In September 2022, Gov. Tony Evers earmarked $20 million for the project, shortly after former Milwaukee County Medical Examiner Dr. Brian Peterson called on the county's American Rescue Plan Act Task Force for help to address ongoing concerns about his office, including crumbling infrastructure, little space, cockroach infestations and the smell of decomposing bodies.

"Together, we will enhance public safety, save lives, and operate a more efficient and cost-effective response to emergency situations," Crowley said.

House of Correction's rebranding to Community Reintegration Center

Most recently, Crowley pushed for changing the name from the House of Correction to the Community Reintegration Center (CRC).

The Milwaukee County Board shot down the idea in a 9-8 vote (with former County Supervisor Dyango Zerpa excused) in November 2022.

Despite a lack of approval from supervisors for $158,000 to pay for a rebrand that included new signage, employee and resident clothing and advertising, Crowley moved forward with renaming the facility without the funds. He hopes to get its approval in 2023.

During his address Tuesday, Crowley applauded the many services offered at the facility, including continuing education through the Education Preparedness Program and the new Family Engagement Center aimed at providing support for minors with justice-involved guardians as well as family services, such as family mediation, visits and assistance transitioning back into society after release. The CRC also recently introduced Medication Assisted Treatment Program, to help individuals in their care who have opioid addictions.

Affordable housing a top issue

Referencing his first-hand experience with housing insecurity, Crowley said his top priority has been to tackle the issue during his tenure.

Earlier this year, Crowley signed a bill allocating $2.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to Acts Housing, a nonprofit that provides homeownership programs, in order to help boost the nonprofit’s acquisition fund. The fund aims at allowing local residents a better chance at becoming homeowners despite the significant growth of out-of-state investors buying homes.

Crowley also noted "significant progress" in transforming the King Park Neighborhood, with the county's recent acquisition of 90 lots in the neighborhood so that they may develop 120 affordable single-family homes.

East-West Bus Rapid Transit launches

Crowley highlighted the hurdles residents face in getting around the county freely and safely, including the on-going problems of "reckless driving, lack of transit options, or transportation infrastructure, lack of effective transportation."

Last year the county saw that as the budget tightens and the transit department approaches a fiscal cliff, services have been on the chopping block.

Milwaukee County Transit System's paratransit taxi service was set to end its services for roughly 8,400 eligible riders with disabilities after Crowley presented his budget proposal late last year. The Milwaukee County Board later voted to restore paratransit taxi service funding. His proposal also saw a reduction in bus services, including the reduction of one bus per route on Routes 52, 92, 34 and 88.

Crowley announced that he would be moving forward on a countywide plan to address reckless driving, which is funded by Transportation Alternatives Program grants.

Crowley showed his excitement for thecreation of the nine-mile, $55 million East-West Bus Rapid Transit system, rolling out in June of this year.

"The BRT means faster commutes and a more connected county," he said.

Contact Vanessa Swales at 414-308-5881 or vswales@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @Vanessa_Swales.

Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal.

DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and more

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley delivers state of the county