Department Operating Efficiencies

The Office of the City Treasurer is recognized as one of the most efficiently run departments in City government.

Since taking office, Milwaukee City Treasurer Wayne F. Whittow has reduced the number of authorized staff positions from 98 to 58, a reduction of over 40%.

City Treasurer Whittow has consistently met the department's target budget allocations since inception of the process in the early 1990's, assuring the department's operating budget was kept in check.

When City Treasurer Whittow took office, taxpayers needed to come down to City Hall to pick up and pay their property tax bills. Whittow immediately set out to upgrade and modernize the tax collection process. Today, all property tax bills are mailed out to taxpayers. Escrow agents and owners of multiple properties can access and download property tax bill information and remit payments electronically. During the current tax collection period in December and January, taxpayers can pay their taxes in full via the Internet using an e-check payment application. Taxpayers can also enroll in an automated Electronic Funds Transfer Program to pay their taxes on the ten month, interest free installment program.

By implementing the use of a bank lock box for property tax payments, City Treasurer Whittow has improved cash flow, increased investable fund balances, and realized greater investment revenue. By implementing zero balance concentration accounts for the disbursement of City payments, Whittow has reduced float, increased investable fund balances, and realized greater investment revenue.

City Treasurer Whittow employs state of the art computer software to collect and account for monies due the City and manage the City's investment portfolio.

The City Treasurer attempts to collect all delinquent property tax accounts by every means available prior to pursuing a foreclosure action. City Treasurer Whittow has been extremely successful in the collection of property taxes and has achieved an average collection rate of over 99% of the City's total property tax levy by the end of the tax enforcement cycle. This is one of the best property tax collection rates in the country.